Visit a Red State: Liberal Reasons

Read about five liberal and historical reasons why you should take a vacation in the Red/Republican states of Idaho, Montana and Wyoming.

Frankly, many of our friends and family were shocked when my husband and I moved from “liberal” California to “conservative” Idaho. They thought we had lost our minds, were joining a commune or becoming survivalists (or all of the above). An Uncle of mine actually asked, “Idaho, where is that?” He lives in Colorado, that’s just one state over.

As this very important Election Day for the United States draws near, here are five very liberal reasons to visit the Red states of Idaho, Montana and Wyoming.

Idaho-

#1-1896, Ahvavath Beth Israel Synagogue became the first permanent standing synagogue west of the Mississippi River. Visit the Moorish designed synagogue at 11 North Latah Street, Boise, Idaho or go to Ahvavath Beth Israel Synagogue for more information.

#2-1914, Idaho’s Moses Alexander is elected as the first Jewish Governor in the United States. Go to The Moses Alexander Collection for more information.

Montana-

#3-1916, Montana’s Jeannette Rankin became the first United States congresswoman and the only representative to vote against both world wars. When asked why she voted against World War I, she stated, “The first time the first woman had a chance to say no against war she should say it.” Visit the Jeannette Rankin Peace Center for more information, 519 South Higgins Avenue, Missoula, Montana.

Wyoming-

#4-1869, Wyoming became the first state in the United States to grant women the right to vote. In 1870, Eliza A. “Grandma” Swain casts the first female ballot in the United States. For more information on the United States suffragette movement, check out the Women of the West Museum.

#5-1924, Wyoming’s Nellie Tayloe Ross is elected as the First Woman Governor in the United States. Visit the Wyoming Governor’s Mansion for a historical tour, 300 East 21st, Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Bonus Reason-1872, Colter’s Hell, Wyoming became Yellowstone National Park. Yellowstone National Park is the first federally protected land in the United States. Visit Yellowstone National Park in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming or go to Yellowstone for more information. Also, check out Wildlife Preserves at Suite101 for some more history on the United States National Parks System.

So, here’s a radical liberal thought from an Idahoan, visit a Red state for it’s liberal history! And for those of you reading that live in Idaho, Montana or Wyoming (or any other Red state), remember to vote on November 7th for the candidate that vows to protect our precious land (and they might even be Blue or Green).

If you want to know more about living in Idaho, check out Local Ski Life: Sun Valley, Idaho.