THIS MAGICAL LAND OF US

10 American reasons why the great outdoors are truly great

Image: Muneeb Usmani

The United States has truly earned its "America the Beautiful" nickname: We are lucky to live in a nation filled with such an amazing landscape. America contains many different weathers and terrains, and each state is home to stunningly beautiful natural jewels.

We have (metaphorically) traveled throughout the United States, coast to coast and north to south, to select our ten favorite natural treasures. Who knows? You might end up discovering your next holiday destination. Enjoy!

Image: Omer Nezih Gerek

We’ll start this list with an outstanding icon, synonymous with everything that makes the United States great. The Grand Canyon is more than just a landmark, it's an American giant that has inspired generations throughout the history of this country. It is also world-famous, a truly iconic sightseeing destination, featured in everything from postcards to Arizona driving licenses.

The Grand Canyon has an outstanding depth of over a mile, which can be seen from strategically placed viewing points. Bald eagles and other birds can also be seen in this area, flying above and throughout the red rocky walls of the Canyon.

Image: Edward Koorey

Niagara Falls is a true spectacle. This group of waterfalls inspires millions of tourists every year both by their inconceivable beauty and by their power, since over 5.9 million cubic feet of water go over their crest every minute.

The Falls are formed by the Niagara River, and they are located on the border between the U.S. state of New York and the Canadian province of Ontario. Its water’s sparkling green color has made it one of America’s most recognizable landmarks.

Image: Aniket Deole

Extending over four counties in the heart of California, Yosemite National Park is home to immense granite cliffs, ancient giant sequoia trees, and incredibly diverse wildlife. It was President Lincoln himself who signed an act that declared Yosemite as federally preserved land in 1864 and, over a hundred years later in 1984, this iconic park was declared a World Heritage Site.

Yosemite features truly breathtaking rock formations, but perhaps the most unique among them are the rock domes such as Sentinel Dome and Half Dome. This park is also known for its majestic glaciers, the largest of them being Lyell Glacier.

Image: Ken Cheung

If you’ve ever driven behind a car with a license plate from Utah, you might notice that they are decorated with one of this state’s most treasured landmarks: the iconic sandstone arches located in Arches National Park. These instantly recognizable formations are deeply ingrained in the identity of "the Beehive State," but their beauty and magnificence are an inspiring sight to every American who visits them.

This national park is home to over 2,000 natural sandstone arches, but perhaps the most iconic one is the Delicate Arch. In 2002, during the opening ceremony of the 2002 Salt Lake Winter Olympics, the Olympic torch relay went through this 52-foot-tall arch.

Image: Nik Shuliahin

It is almost impossible to walk around any of the four parks that compose the Redwood National and State Parks and not feel extremely tiny: The mighty redwoods protected by this complex are the tallest trees in the world. Not only that, they are also among the oldest trees, so it's no wonder that their sight not only inspires curiosity but also the utmost respect.

Perhaps most notable among these already remarkable trees, a redwood tree named Hyperion stands at an impressive 380-foot height. Hyperion is the tallest tree in the world, and his runner-up for the title, a 377-foot tree called Helios, is also located in Redwood National Park.

Image: Joshua Sortino

Mammoth Cave can be an intimidating sight. After all, the world’s longest-known cave system is a massive network of dark and tall limestone caves. However, similar to how little time it takes for the human eye to adjust to the dark, it only takes a few moments to realize the inherent beauty that this Kentucky landmark has to offer.

Guided tours take visitors through some of the most gorgeous sights in the cave, such as the "Frozen Niagara" (a rock formation that resembles a waterfall) or the "Grand Avenue" (a flat and narrow area flowing between rocks). Mammoth Cave is home to a diverse ecosystem, which includes the Spotted-tail salamander or the Cave Crayfish.

Image: Bryson Beaver

The tallest mountain in North America is also one of its most beautiful ones. Located in Alaska, this mountain was first named "Mount McKinley" in 1896, after U.S. President William McKinley. However, in 2015, the U.S. Department of Interior decided to rename it into the name chosen by the native Koyukon people who inhabit the area.

Denali’s magnificence has dared many climbers throughout the ages to attempt to climb it, with the first verifiable attempt happening in 1913. In 1951, the safer and more accessible West Buttress route was discovered, which is still considered the best option by mountain climbers.

Image: Andrew Perilloux

Louisiana is known as "the Bayou State" for its many gorgeous and picturesque bayous, so choosing one for this article is definitively a difficult task. We have decided to lean towards the longest bayou in the world, so massive that it extends into the neighboring state of Arkansas. We are talking, of course, about the iconic Bayou Bartholomew.

Measuring approximately 364 miles, Bayou Bartholomew is home to diverse wildlife, including over 100 different aquatic species. Thousands of anglers visit the bayou to catch gorgeous specimens of crawfish, bream, and catfish.

Image: Brian Tafel

Some people compare the five boroughs in New York City to the five fingers on a hand. Perhaps this idea came from the Finger Lakes, a treasured natural landmark beloved by everyone in New York. This group of lakes was named after their narrow and long shape, but no one could mistake them with a human hand, since eleven different lakes compose this wonderful area.

One of the most beautiful things about the Finger Lakes is that, while similar, they all have their own characteristics and attributes that make them unique. Conesus Lake is a great place for fishing walleye and yellow perch, while Hemlock Lake is known for its landlocked salmon. Cayuga Lake is home to a folklore sea serpent known as "Old Greeny," regularly spotted throughout the years.

Image: Meina Yin

Yellowstone National Park was established in 1872 and signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant in that same year. Fitting for our nation’s first park, Yellowstone is home to a huge variety of natural treasures, including geysers, canyons, and a dormant supervolcano. It is also home to many different species of animals, including grizzly bears and the oldest and largest free-ranging herd of bison in the country.

It is rather difficult to select a must-see sight in Yellowstone. Perhaps its most famous landmark is the "Old Faithful" geyser, which erupts up to 185 feet in the air in an almost scheduled pattern. However, another heavy contender would be the iconic Grand Prismatic Spring, the third-largest in the world and filled with bright and vivid colors.

HIDDEN GEMS

Impress Everyone With These 10 Rare and Underused Words

Image: Dmitry Ratushny

Have you ever found yourself in an "anecdoche"? Do you know someone with "disingenuous" intentions? Among the many entries in the dictionary, certain words stand out, both for their beauty and their great utility. While many of them are present in our daily conversations, others, unfortunately, remain neglected and overlooked, waiting to be rediscovered.

If you want to impress everyone with an original and sophisticated vocabulary, come with us to discover these 10 rare, infrequent English words that should get trendy!

Image: Katie Gerrard

Ever found yourself repeating a practice you don't know where it comes from? Maybe you always take the same route to work, even though you know there is a quicker way. It's like sticking to a habit despite being aware it's a mistake.

If you recognize this situation, you may be committing a "mumpsimus." This term describes not only a habit, notion, or idea that someone stubbornly sticks to despite knowing it's wrong but also the person who behaves this way.

The word has a fascinating origin story. Legend has it that a preacher misread the word "sumpsimus" ("we have taken") as "mumpsimus." Even after being corrected, he kept using the word incorrectly. Do any "mumpsimuses" come to your mind?

Image: Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦

If you have a large family or many friends, this word will be very useful.

Many times, in gatherings of several people, the conversation can become a bit, shall we say, messy. It is the typical crowded dinner: everyone is shouting and talking over one another; a chaotic yet familiar scenario, right? Next time it happens to you, you can say, "Stop this anecdoche!" Everyone will probably stop talking, at least to find out what that word means.

"Anecdoche" captures that exact scenario. It's a relatively new term, defined as a situation where many people are talking, but no one is listening or getting involved with each other's anecdotes.

Image: Kira auf der Heide

We all have that one friend who loves to give gifts and do thoughtful things for others. If you can think of someone who fits this description, then you know someone truly "munificent." And if no one comes to mind, maybe that munificent person is you!

This adjective perfectly describes those who love to give and give, finding fulfillment in their generosity without necessarily expecting something in return.

The etymology of this word explains its nature very well: "munificent" comes from the Latin munificus, which blends munus ("gift" or "service") with the suffix -ficus, meaning "making" or "doing."

Image: Rémi Walle

And if we talk about munificent people, we have to mention how these noble guys always spend their time offering "succor." If you're not familiar with that last word, let's explore its meaning.

"Succor" is something you give or do for a person or a group of people who need it. It can be used as a synonym for "help," "assistance," or "support."

Now you know, the next time a co-worker or friend gives you a helping hand in difficult times, you can thank them for their succor.

Image: Jametlene Reskp

Let's talk about another adjective. This one describes people who might not always be frank or sincere, or who have a way of presenting themselves that isn't always honest.

If you've ever had a feeling that someone isn't being entirely genuine with you, maybe that person is being "disingenuous." This word also has roots in Latin. It derives from disingenuus, which means "not noble."

In English, disingenuous was formed by adding the prefix dis- (meaning "not" or "opposite of") to the word ingenuous, which describes someone who possesses "innocent or childlike simplicity and candidness."

Image: Kinga Howard

Few things can compare to the pleasure of staying in your own warm bed, either to catch up on sleep or simply to enjoy the morning in peace and quiet.

But let's be honest; as much as we'd like to, we can't make a habit of it… Or can we? Well, that's where the word "slugabed" comes into play, as defined by Merriam-Webster, for those who just can't resist the temptation of staying in bed late.

So, the next time you find someone still in bed at 11 a.m., instead of labeling them as "lazy," you can get sophisticated and kindly call them a "slugabed."

Image: Ganapathy Kumar

If you want to captivate someone special, just look at the moon and, as a good poet, describe its "refulgence."

This beautiful noun is a sophisticated way of referring to brilliance or shining quality. And it's not limited to literal use, such as describing the sun, the moon, or a cityscape at night. You can also use it metaphorically to depict, for example, someone's delightful smile or charismatic personality.

This noun also has Latin roots, originating from refulgentia ("reflection" or "shining back"), which in turn is derived from the Latin verb refulgere (to shine brightly).

Image: Dmitry Ratushny

Do you have an activity, sport, or hobby you've been wanting to try? Maybe you're interested in taking a cooking class, learning to ski, or driving, but you're a bit worried about being seen as a "neophyte." If that's the case, don't worry! We've all been neophytes in different aspects of life, even when it comes to learning new words.

As Merriam-Webster points out, "neophyte" is a noun for someone "who is just starting out in a field of activity." In other words, a novice.

As you already know, this word can carry either a positive or a negative tone, depending on its context. In any case, if you use it, remember to be careful and not hurt someone's feelings!

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Do you remember that first exam, that tough job interview, or that meeting that left you feeling stressed and nervous? If you often find yourself in such situations, next time, you can tell your boss you're in a "swivet." Not only will you be honest about your feelings, but you'll also impress them with your elevated vocabulary!

"Swivet" is a noun that can be used as a synonym for panic, agitation, or aggravated nervousness. Shaky hands, belly aches, and cold sweats are just some of the uncomfortable symptoms often associated with this rare word. Have you ever experienced something like this?

Image: Tom Pumford

If you're one of those who enjoy poetry, a good romantic movie, or just anything that brings tears to your eyes, then you might be a sensitive, melancholy soul that could be described as "lachrymose."

That's right, this is a fancy adjective that doesn't just describe emotional people; it also points to what brings on those tears. You can tell your friend, for example, "Don't watch that movie if you're not in the mood to cry; it's a real lachrymose drama!"

In its roots, we find Latin again. It derives from lacrima, a beautiful word meaning "tear."