As we speak, I'm on day three of a five-day trip to Washington, D.C., and Annapolis, home to the U.S. Naval Academy. While the United States certainly has room for improvement—universal health care anyone? language diversity?—and while I cherish my half-British heritage, there are definitely some things that I love about the U.S.

Topography. Europe is awesome for its cultural centers, but the United States offers just as much in the way of beautiful beaches, majestic mountain ranges, impressive lakes, and amber waves of grain.

Our independent spirit. Regardless of our country's ups and downs, we have some pretty amazing role models in the nation's founders, women's suffragists, and contemporary activists.

Sports. Although we're lagging behind on appreciation of The Beautiful Game, there's something deliciously American about college football in the fall and baseball in the spring.

Hollywood. This one's debatable for obvious reasons, but nowhere else in the world does such glamor and mystery and fame culminate than in the crazy American Hollywood culture.

What makes you love the U.S.? (If, in fact, you happen to.)

Posted by Erin of The Fierce Beagle