The US Consists of 11 Distinct Cultural

Possessing upwards of 34 years of experience in the tax sector, Dennis John Olmstead has held such titles as tax manager for Arthur Young International Services Office and tax partner at Ernst and Young. Most recently Head of Tax and a consultant at Bridgewater Associates, Dennis Olmstead maintains an interest in different cultures.

The United States of America is largely seen as a unified nation with 50 states. However, Colin Woodard argues that the country has 11 distinct cultures based on voting patterns, public opinion polls, and demographics. These include Yankeedom, Greater Appalachia, New France, the Far West, the Left Coast, and Tidewater. These areas are increasingly self-segregated communities as individuals seek areas that share their personal beliefs.

The entire Northeast section of the country ranging from above New York City and through Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan, is part of Yankeedom, according to Woodard. Yankeedom values intellectual achievement and citizen participation in government. This culture is comfortable with government regulation and harkens back to radical Calvinist beliefs.

Meanwhile, the New Netherland region, which covers northern New Jersey and New York City, is a natural ally of Yankeedom. However, it focuses on materialism and is extremely tolerant of religious and ethnic diversity.

Conversely, the Midlands opposes government regulation. Settled by the English Quakers, the Midlands largely consists of the Midwest. Political opinion in this area is moderate. Parts of New Jersey, Ohio, Indiana, Missouri, Kansas, and Nebraska make up the Midlands. The Deep South, made up of states such as Georgia, Texas, Mississippi, and Florida, also opposes government regulation and adheres to strict social structures.

The other “countries” within the United States include Tidewater, the area around North Carolina and the Chesapeake Bay; Greater Appalachia in Kentucky, West Virginia, and Tennessee; El Norte in New Mexico, California, Arizona, and Texas; and the Left Coast along coastal Oregon, California, and Washington. There is also New France, the Far West, and First Nation.

The Differences between Visas & Passports

A graduate of the McGeorge School of Law at University of the Pacific, Dennis John Olmstead has advised Ray Dalio and his team at Bridgewater Associates as a consultant. A global tax executive, Dennis Olmstead loves traveling whenever he can.

Depending on where you visit, you may need a passport and visa when traveling. Passports are legal documents granted by the federal government of a country. They confirm your identity and prove your citizenship. Without a passport, you cannot re-enter your country of citizenship after traveling internationally.

A visa is also an official document, but it’s granted by the country you plan on visiting. A visa gives you temporary permission to enter the country. It specifies the amount of time you have within the country and comes in the form of a sticker or stamp placed in your passport when you arrive at your destination.

Every other country requires that you have a passport if you are a visiting citizen from the United States or its territories. Many countries also require visas, but not all of them do. The majority of the Caribbean countries, as well as Mexico, Western Europe, and Canada do not require visas when you are staying for 3 months or less. Every country has different rules regarding visas, so check visa requirements before traveling internationally. 

Hiking Uphill Efficiently

Having been Head of Tax and a consultant for the founder and his management team at Bridgewater Associates in Connecticut, Dennis John Olmstead assists senior management with transaction issues and compliance with company policies. When he isn’t busy with his professional activities, Dennis Olmstead spends time hiking.

Uphill hikes leave many people sweating and breathing heavily, but the rise in metabolism, burning of more calories, and increased physical exertion makes the challenge worth it. Before any uphill section, hikers should warm up. Uphill sections work the muscles more intensely and a warm-up prepares these muscles for the extra activity, thus ensuring they propel the body forward efficiently.

Hikers should also consider their technique. When going uphill, shorter steps are best since they make lifting the body up easier. Maintaining a steady stepping rate also helps. While this pace is slower for some hikers than their regular pace on even ground, keeping with the same pace doesn’t tire the body out and promotes faster progress up the hill.

At the same time, hiking uphill requires consistent breaks. Short breaks keep hikers moving quickly up the hill by giving their bodies a chance for recovery. It lets hikers get their breathing and heart rate more under control so they don’t overexert themselves when going uphill.

Finally, leaning forward slightly helps maintain balance for hikers. This slight lean should come from the ankles, while the rest of the body maintains an erect posture. Since the goal of this technique is maintaining balance, don’t lean too far forward or backward when going uphill.

4 Hiking Spots in Connecticut

Dennis Olmstead serves as an advisor at Bridgewater Associates in Connecticut. Outside of his work helping businesses achieve operational growth, Dennis John Olmstead enjoys hiking.

The following are some of the top hiking trails in Connecticut that are worth seeing:

1. Castle Craig

Overlooking the city of Meriden, Castle Craig is a 32-foot stone tower built in 1900. Found in the Hanging Hills, it is one of the best hikes in the area’s Hubbard Park and offers a unique blend of history and natural beauty along its 2.8-mile stretch.

2. Bear Mountain

An out-and-back trail covering 5.4 miles of ground, Bear Mountain is the highest peak in Connecticut. The peak is found in Mount Riga State Park and is an intermediate hike that takes people past several waterfalls and streams.

3. Enders Fall

Tucked away in the Enders State Forest in Granby is Enders Fall. A series of five waterfalls, the rocky gorge is accessible after only a half-mile hike. At the end, people can swim and cool off at the swimming holes created by the waterfalls.

4. Zoar Trail

Found in Oxford, Connecticut, Zoar Trail is a 6.4-mile round-trip loop trail. It’s located in a remote and secluded part of the Paugussett State Forest and is best for intermediate and experienced hikers looking for a challenge.