There is no better time than right now to experience the best that the Midwest has to offer. Whether you are in Minnesota, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Nebraska or Missouri, this is a beautiful time of year. Nature is getting dressed in the most beautiful hues of yellow and red, slightly tinted with hints of magenta and orange. This is the time to pack your bags for a road trip and exploring the scenic roads.

South Dakota

Custer State Park is situated in South Dakota. The park offers many great hikes through the hills and prairies, the most spectacular scenery and an abundance of wildlife. This is indeed the home to elk, bison, antelope and bighorn sheep. Diarize your stay next year for the Buffalo Roundup & Arts Festival, when festival-goers are treated to the fantastic display as cowgirls and cowboys gather the 1 300 bison living in the park.

Wisconsin

Buttered or sprinkled with salt, grilled or boiled, you have to have corn on the cob while exploring the beauty of Wisconsin. Here at Dane’s County Farmer’s Market, you will be able to purchase some cheese curds and other fresh ingredients and if cooking isn’t your thing, then rather sit down for a meal at one of the best farm-to-table eateries in Madison.

Football

Whether you are just a fan or more deeply devoted as a sports better with some money dabbled on the odds, this is a football country, and it is football season. Here the severe punter can not only bet on but also attend the most exciting games between some of the best. Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears or the Indianapolis Colts are often the centre of attention whether it is at a live game or a vibrant sports bar.

Apples, Apples and More Apples

The Midwest is an agricultural treasure and crabs are undoubtedly some of the gems in the crown jewels of the region. Many farms offer apple picking adventures. Spending time under the clear blue skies, breathing in the freshest air and picking your fresh fruit from the trees, ready to crunch your teeth right into it, to get to the sweetest melodies of deliciousness. Another hot topic during this time of year is apple pie baking. Apple pie is a great treat and baking the best is serious business around here. Serving only the best à la mode, which translates to being served with fresh cream on top.

Thanksgiving Feasts

Spending time here in late November then stay a little longer and sit down at one of the many tables stacked with the most fabulous Thanksgiving treats. Green beans and pumpkin pie, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffed turkey and only the best you can desire. This is a time to spend together, building bonds over a hearty meal, a time of being truly grateful for all the blessings in your life.

The pinnacle of college life for many is the heydays of game days in football season. On these days, everything happens a bit slower on campus since all the attention is focused on the home stadium and supporting their team religiously and without avail. College football is core to the American culture, the reference to refer to when sports bets are placed on players in the major league and the foundation for many not only of fame at the college level but also the stepping stone to much higher careers within the sport. These are some of the best colleges in the US, preparing another generation of football heroes.

Ohio State University

Here the Buckeyes are home to a sports program that can be considered as the best in the entire country. Their main campus is based in Columbus, meaning that regularly games are being played at the Big Ten Conference. Excellent fitness training is the tag to all students leaving either early for drafts or after graduation. Their success can be attributed to the great Urban Meyer, coach and legend in the Ohio State football heritage.

University of Alabama

When the fans of the Crimson Tide come together in the giant Tuscaloosa stadium in Alabama, the best word to describe them is fanatical. Under the guidance of Coach Nick Saban, the school has been delivering generously to the professional league. A total of 64 All-American players, as well as two Heisman trophy winners, have constructed their foundation in Alabama and their stadium with room for a crowd of 101 000 people.

University of Oklahoma

Autumn time is when the students of this university are on the hunt to employ dissertation writers to free up their own time to watch and support their college games. When this team meets up with their rival groups in the Big 12 conference, life in the entire state slows down often to a complete stop. The organization holds on to 7 national titles and 45 conference titles, which serves as a true reflection that here football is so much more than a sport, it is inherently part of who they are.

University of Texas

A group of loyal fans backs the Texas Longhorns, and the team returns this loyalty by playing every single game like it is the last that will ever be played. Coach Charlie Strong has a tactical approach to training, and that becomes evident when the competition is met at the Big 12 Conference annually. When the Longhorns take on their fiercest enemy, Texas A&M, the state of Texas turns into a warzone alive with football rivalry.

Louisiana State University

Tiger Stadium set in the marshes of Louisiana has been the home to over 40 players in NFL, including Odell Beckham Jr. Their fans aren’t only loyal but also fierce, and that makes their stadium an inhospitable environment for any opponent to attend. The teams show a strong defence and their extensive fitness regime contributes to their sports culture at the utmost level.

The dreams of many sometimes become the reality of a few. These are the stories of ordinary people who trusted in luck at the gambling tables in Las Vegas, and they left the desert with wealth beyond imagination.

Most people dream about the day of winning it big once in their lives, but for Elmer Sherwin, it happened twice. The 76-year-old WW II veteran tried his luck at the newly opened Mirage. He was playing the Megabuck jackpot, and within only 10 hours after The Mirage opened its doors, they had to pay Sherwin, winning the prize, a total of $4.6 million.

Sherwin spent his newfound wealth travelling the world, but he kept on playing the slots every week. He had a dream of becoming the first winner taking home the jackpot twice. After 16 years of perseverance, that is precisely what happened when Sherwin won the same prize once again. This time around the pot was standing at $21 million. By becoming the first winner of two containers in his life, he achieved his dream and donated the jackpot to charity.

Amy Nishimura

The 71-year-old was on vacation from Hawaii, and every time she was in Las Vegas, she would play at the Freemont Hotel at the same machine. Nishimura was playing for about 3 hours with no more than $100 when she hit it big and cashed out nearly $9 million. Just showing that if you can’t invest large amounts of money, then patience might also get you there.

An Unknown Man Just Passing Time

The Excalibur Casino was the place where an unknown young man from Los Angeles was passing the time awaiting a basketball game. While waiting, he played a bit on the machines and made some pre-game cash valued at $39 million. This seems like the perfect way to pass the time. The young man made the smart choice and opted for an annual payout of $1.5 million per year over the next 25 years instead of taking it all at once.

Kerry Packer

Packer was an Australian billionaire who regularly visited Las Vegas during some of his high roller adventures. During one such lavish trip in 1997, Packer increased his riches even further with his entire winnings being estimated between $20 and $40 million purely between playing baccarat and blackjack. According to the stories being told, he even lavishly tipped his doorman a total of $1 million. Once again confirming the importance of the company you keep. Packer, however, didn’t know when to stop and two years later, his luck ran dry when he lost $28 million in a casino in London.

The Perseverance of the Elderly

It seems that the older players get, the more perseverance they show. A lady in her sixties won The Wheel of Fortune at the Palace Station Hotel totalling at $680 000. This was, however, no reason for her to stop and she continued to return only to win $27 million in the Megabuck jackpot only a few months later.

While snacking away on your favourite foods, do you ever think where did it come from? Every state in the US has a dish or an ingredient that triumphs all the rest. With sports betting legalized in most states, this is what we can do next. Let’s explore some of these desired dishes and eating out opportunities.

Destinations

• Alabama – This southern state is the home to the pecan nut. Here you will find the best in sweet pecan comforts. Every year they also host the ever-popular pecan festival which showcases the best pecan delicacies, carnival rides, country music and a great welcome into the state of friendly folk.
• Arizona – If you are devoted to the freshest and crunchiest salads, then you probably are having some of this sunny state’s lettuce on your plate. Arizona is the leading provider of winter lettuce in the United States. Up to 90% of all leafy greens eaten between November and March come from Arizona. Every year they also have the Lettuce Festival in the City of Yuma.
• California – The state’s green fields and blue skies are the perfect home for cows. Most of the dairy farms in the state are family-owned, and together they provide about 99% of all the dairy used in the States. Therefore next time you are spreading some butter on your toast or enjoying some great ice cream on a hot summer day, you can almost be sure that it came from the Golden State.
• Connecticut – In 1908, George Smith was the man who invented lollipops in New Haven, Connecticut. Today a much loved sweet and enjoyed globally with very few aware of the fact that it is indeed named after a horse. Smith used the name of Lolly Pop, a great competitor on the tracks at the time to call his newly invented sweet.
• Indiana – During 2018, 983 million bushels of corn were harvested in this state. No wonder, it is indeed the country’s biggest corn producer and even has a town called Popcorn.
• Nevada – The destination for gamblers and sports betters, runaway weddings and memorable weekends. Here you will, however, find more than the best bookmakers in town, but also a great bang for your buck when eating out. Home to more than 70 buffets in the casino city. The perfect place to find great meals in between the action.
• North Carolina – Some may know that Pepsi was initially invented as a health drink to improve digestion, but few may know that this was already in 1867. Caleb Davis Bradham from New Bern, North Carolina was the pharmacist who invented the much-beloved Pepsi-Cola
• Ohio – The first commercially grown tomato is called the Paragon tomato and was developed by Alexander W. Livingston, a world-renowned horticulturist in Reynoldsburg, Ohio in 1870. Therefore Ohio is referred to as the place where tomatoes were birthed.
• South Carolina – In 1685 Charleston was home to the first efforts ever recorded to cultivate rice in the States. Due to this close relationship with rice, the state is still referred to as the Rice State.

Food trucks are part of American culture. They deliver delicious and exciting cuisine, suited for a variety of taste buds and preferences, quickly and on the go. They are a well-known face in the streets, at sporting events and designated spots along the coast. Long gone are the days when they served ice-cream alone. Now they are restaurants on wheels which sometimes become truly creative with their dining options. Here are some of the cities which you have to visit to immerse yourself in a brilliant food truck experience.

Nashville, Tennessee

Nashville is known as the music capital of the USA, the place where visitors go to experience a bit of American music history, see some shows and dining on delicious smoked meat options and other comfort foods. Food trucks are available everywhere in this city, offering a menu as versatile as its musical history. Look out for Steaming Goat Food Truck, Smokin’ Buttz BBQ and The Grilled Cheeserie.

Austin, Texas

One of the States’ best cities to fulfil your dining needs, therefore it is no surprise that Austin is without a doubt also the place to find a brilliant selection of cuisine offered on wheels by the many food trucks all around. Whether you are in need of BBQ meets or donuts, you will find them on the street or in the various food truck parks. Look out for Rainey Street Food Trucks or The Picnic. Here you will find Micklethwait Craft Meats and Jewboy Burgers.

Cleveland, Ohio

Cleveland is more than the capital of rock and roll music; it is home to several brilliant roving solutions for your cravings for some Southern Comfort. Here you will find fried goat cheese balls, foie gras and even chunky peanut butter to give you only an idea of the diversity on offer. Look out for Betty’s bomb-ass Burgers, Boca Loca Burrito Factory and Hatfield’s Goode Grub.

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago is the home of hot dogs stacked high with chopped vegetables, the birthplace of the deep-dish pizza and various sweet treats which brings comfort when the Windy City is at her best. Their different food trucks don’t fail to deliver either. Here you will find a variety of comfort choices on the go. Stop by at Chicago Pizza Boss, Beavers Donuts or 5411 Empanadas.

New York, New York

New York might have been slow in some regards like legalizing sports betting, but in most terms, they genuinely are indeed the city that never sleeps, and all of these people need to eat. Therefore their food truck business reflects the same kind of forward-thinking and brilliant cooking, which one will experience in their trendy restaurants. Many restaurants in the city have started initially in the food truck business and then moved on to the restaurant industry. Visitors to the city will be overwhelmed by choices on the go, but make sure that you do stop at least once at Tony Dragon’s Grille, Cinnamon Snail and Luke’s Lobster for some fine dining on wheels.

Sports betting and legal gambling have been a hot topic in the States for a while now. The headlines are coloured continuously in flavours of how much which states have generated in revenue from sports betting and why which state is slow in moving forward. Mind-boggling numbers are printed, and it is often hard to fathom the amounts of money which is generated through this activity. Something which is even more mind-boggling than that is the extraordinary and bizarre topics on which people can place their legal wagers.

Betting on UFO’s

The possibility of life beyond earth has always been an intriguing question to many — the theme of silver screen scripts and blockbuster movies and now a moneymaking machine for bookmakers too. Punters can place their bets on when they think extra-terrestrial life will be found or when will they revisit earth. Even though the thought that we are not alone might still be a laughing matter to many, the people who are doing the hysterical laughter, are the bookmakers who have discovered a great source of income.

Armageddon

If the idea of betting on UFO’s were considered to be ludicrous, then wait for this. Plenty of forecasts have been made throughout history regarding when the earth will finally come to an end. This will happen according to conspiracy theorists when Planet X bashes into the soil and crush us with brutal force.

Punters can place their bets on which country on earth will receive the most significant impact when this happens. Currently, Australia is at the top of the ranking with 17/10 with the United Stated following in pursuit at 10/3. Before rushing off to your nearest bookmaker to place your wager, it might be advisable to arrange an alternative planet for future accommodation to be able to spend your winnings at, since the one you call home has just been obliterated.

Wagering on Death

A slightly sick, but accurate betting market opened up in Taiwan. You can place your bet on the life expectancy of sick people in the hospital. The odds are as following if the person dies within a month the bookmaker is at the winning end, but if the patient survives anything from more than a month up to six, punters will be entitled to three times the amount of the bet they placed.

Betting Can Be Done on Almost Everything

When the imagination has no limitations, wagers can be based on almost everything as long as that you can find a bookmaker willing to take you on. Some of the favourites over recent times are which political candidates will win, which movies will win Oscars, what Kanye and Kim’s future baby names would be and who the next Pope would be. An event of recent history which had the bookmakers running wild was the latest Royal Wedding. Wagers have been placed on whether Harry and Meghan will tie the knot and if so, whether he will be re-casted as Mike Ross in Suits. Once again, imagination has no limitations.

NFL season is a big deal and a significant part of the authentic American culture. Every team has a band of supporters who will back them through greatness and misery. These are the fanatics, the ones whose loyalty will never fail, and the ones who are willing to put their wagers where their hearts lie placing their sports bets again and again on the ones they want to win. These groups have their unique hangouts where they prefer to pull together, united as one. Let’s explore some of the places where these crowds gather.

Baltimore Ravens

Located locally in the heart of Baltimore’s Federal Hill, is the favourite watering hole of Ravens fans. The décor is unmistakeable Raven, including goalposts, a purple patio and floor reflecting the healthy football inspiration which makes Mother’s Federal come alive during Ravens games. If you want to be seated, then be there early while you sip away on a purple crush cocktail served in a Baltimore Ravens pint glass.

Buffalo Bills

Big on the Bills? Then flock to where the big screens are taken care of. The 38-foot screen in the bar makes it impossible to miss any detail of the Bills action. In case that doesn’t suffice to your visual needs, the bar also portrays another 69 smaller screens, to be sure. For a true Buffalo feeling fans can quench their thirsts with beer from some of the many local breweries.

Carolina Panthers

Ales is the perfect place to be taken care of if you consider yourself an emotional eater during any sporting activity. This comfortable and cosy venue is, however, a Carolina Panther fan favourite. They offer more than six different dipping options for either tortillas chips or French fries. Plenty of goodness to keep you nibbling away. 120 Different craft beers of which 70 are available on draft, this is the claim to fame of the Chicago Bears’ favourite spot. Whether you want to catch a game, quench a first or chow on some weekend grub, the Boundary is your place to go.

Knockback Nat’s

The devotion and loyalty of this pub’s patrons and owners are astounding. Not only delivering on dependable Bengal support but also serving a kind of comfort in the form of free wings during every game that the Cincinnati Bengals play out of town.

STATS Brewpub

Just down the road of the Falcons stadium, the STATS Brewpub is true to its name. Here fans have access to an iPad at every table. Why would that be, you may ask. Well, to stay up to date with every bit of commentary and statistics published on the Bleacher Report. And to summons some more food and drinks to their tables of course.

The biggest high roller in the world or as many refer to him as the Suitcase man, William Lee Bergstrom was born in Texas in 1951. Many names, including the phantom gambler, knew the player and he remains the biggest spender in the history of gambling. 
 
Bergstrom passed away in 1985, during his gambling at the Horseshoe Casino in 1981 his winnings was worth $2.3 million. In 1984, three years later he returned to the Horseshoe Casino and placed a few bets, which included a single chance worth $1 million equal to around $2.42 million in terms of present-day value, that bet he lost. The Suitcase man also placed other bets although the $2,42 remains the biggest bet ever placed at a land-based casino. 

Texas Tech University Student Becomes the Suitcase Gambler

The man that would become the Phantom Gambler was born in Texas and graduated from the Austin High School in 1969. He then enrolled to major in electrical engineering in Lubbock at the Texas Tech University. He became a private pilot instead, and in the Spring of 1971, his parents divorced. Not much of his life is known from 1971 to the 24th of September 1980 when he arrives at in Las Vegas; He turns up at the Horseshoe Casino with two suitcases one empty and the other holding $777,000 in cash. It was the casino of Benny Binion, who had a policy for many years and that was to honour any size bet as long as it is the players very first bet at the casino.
 
The gambler from Texas remained anonymous at the time and placed a single bet to the value of all the cash in his suitcase, he bet on dice and won. Binion came to congratulate the man and assisted him in getting the winnings into his empty bag, he walked out and disappeared.

The Phantom Gambler is Back

Three and half years pass and no one ever seen or heard a word from the Phantom Gambler. It all changed when he walked into a casino on the 24th of March 1984 to place a single bet worth $538,000 on a single dice roll. Again he won, and with his winnings, he booked his mother a seat at the Willie Nelson show. He returned and earned $117,000 more when he placed bets on three craps games.
 
Again he left and on the 16th of November he returned with a suitcase and placed a bet worth $1 million made up of $550,000 in cash packed in the briefcase, The rest of the chance was paid for via Krugerrands and a cashiers cheque worth $310,000. He lost and never recovered, he took his own life on the 4th of February 1985.