Source: USA TODAY

The fantasy is universal: Endless sun and sand, swimmming and surfing, boating and beachcombing.

To kick off the unofficial start of summer, USA TODAY asked local experts to select one great beach in each state and the District of Columbia. Here are their picks:

Alabama

Stretching from the Gulf of Mexico inland to Lake Shelby and Middle Lake, the Gulf State Park near Gulf Shores is a lovely (and low cost) beach getaway. You can build a sandcastle on snow-white beaches, fish or just take it easy on the porch of a lakeside cabin. The restaurants, shops, and family-friendly attractions of Gulf Shores are nearby. 800-252-7275; alapark.com/gulfstate

— Recommended by Stephanie Granada, travel editor, Southern Living magazine

Alaska

With more than 40,000 miles of shoreline and thousands of lakes, Alaska has many scenic beaches. Homer Spit, a narrow gravel bar more than 4 miles long jutting out into Kachemak Bay, stands out. People walk on it, camp on it, fly kites, ride bikes, go fishing, picnic, launch boats, catch ferries, shop, eat and drink — and do all of that while enjoying a spectacular view of the glaciated Kenai Mountains. 907-235-7740; homeralaska.org

— Recommended by the editors of Alaska’s The MILEPOST travel guide

Arizona

Lake Havasu, aka “Arizona’s West Coast,” has more than 400 miles of shoreline, sun and sand, but lacks riptides, biting insects and sharp-toothed fish. Boats and other equipment are for rent in Lake Havasu City, home of the relocated London Bridge. Some of the finest beach areas are in Lake Havasu State Park, or cruise the river until you spot a private beach that suits. golakehavasu.com

— Recommended by Janet Webb, Farnsworth, Arizona-based freelance writer

Arkansas

DeGray Lake Resort State Park’s Caddo Bend Day Use Area appeals to all ages. You can lounge in chairs, play in the water or just stretch out in the sand. Beach diversions are among an array of activities available at the park, including horseback riding, cycling, boating, camping and relaxing in the spa. degray.com

— Richard W. Davies, executive director, Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism

California

Orange County’s Crystal Cove State Park isn’t just about the beach — gracefully curved coves with reliable waves for surfing and bodysurfing. On the inland side of Pacific Coast Highway, park trails climb foothills for killer views of the ocean you just swam in. If swimming and hiking make you hungry, grab a cheeseburger and a rich milkshake at Ruby’s Shake Shack. crystalcovestatepark.com

— Recommended by Peter Fish, editor at large, Sunset magazine

Colorado

Medano Creek at the Great Sand Dunes National Park near Alamosa is the state’s unique contribution to the beach scene. Fed by snowmelt from the surrounding Sangre de Cristo Mountains, its ephemeral flow lasts only from about April to mid-June. It offers a cool respite from the sun-soaked, 7,500-foot-high sand dunes set at 8,000 feet in altitude, the highest in North America. The shallow creek flows swiftly (it’s great for tubing) and even has tides. And it’s surrounded by 30 square miles of “beach.” nps.gov/grsa/medano-creek.htm

— Recommended by Linda DuVal, Colorado Springs-based freelance writer

Connecticut

Connecticut’s oldest state park, Sherwood Island, offers athlete-perfect fields, a shaded grove for picnickers, even paved runways for pilots of radio-controlled model planes. But the main attraction is the beach itself, which stretches about a mile and a half. By the food pavilion, it can be a party. But follow the shoreline west and you will find yourself alone on the dunes with just the shorebirds and wild grasses blowing in the wind. stateparks.com/sherwood_island.html

— Recommended by Susan Farewell, editor-in-chief of FarewellTravels.com

Delaware

Backed by extensive sand dunes, the long swimming and sunbathing beaches of Delaware Seashore State Park are quieter than those in the beach towns. And the farther you walk from the entrances near the bathhouses and concessions, the more peaceful they are, with the sound of the surf punctuated by the calls of sea gulls and the whistles of lifeguards. Designated surfing and sailboarding beaches complement areas devoted to surf-fishing. destateparks.com/park/delaware-seashore

— Recommended by Theresa Gawlas Medoff, Delaware-based travel writer

District of Columbia

Let’s face facts: Washington, D.C., doesn’t have a beach. But the city is finally capitalizing on its Rodney Dangerfield of rivers, the Anacostia. Yards Park, just a mile and a half from the U.S. Capitol, has a kid-friendly fountain and wading pool, open spaces and an old-fashioned boardwalk. Festivals and Friday night concerts bring crowds out in force. Early mornings are perfect for strolling on the quiet waterfront, watching rowers on the river or relaxing in wooden chaise-lounge chairs. yardspark.org

— Recommended by Laura Powell, travel journalist based in Washington, D.C.

Florida

It was for good reason that Siesta Beach, just 15 minutes from downtown Sarasota, was chosen the nation’s best beach in 2011 by Stephen Leatherman (aka Dr. Beach). Follow the gently sloping beach to the calm, warm Gulf waters and dig your toes into the powdery white-quartz sand. Lifeguards and free parking make it safe and easy for everyone to enjoy. visitsarasota.org/siesta-key

— Recommended by David McRee, publisher, beachhunter.net

Georgia

The crown jewel of Georgia’s Golden Isles, St. Simons Island glitters with sandy beaches, upscale restaurants and charming boutiques for the turned-up-collar set. Preppy though it may be, the island still manages to transport visitors to a simpler time, thanks to its canopy of live oaks and abundance of bicyclists. Fitness buffs won’t need to find a gym; the hard-packed sand on the island’s East Beach makes it easy to jog or cycle along the Atlantic. goldenisles.com

— Recommended by Allison Weiss Entrekin, travel writer and editor in Atlanta

Hawaii

There aren’t many long stretches of sandy shoreline in Kailua-Kona on the volcanic Big Island, so the 45-minute drive along the Kohala Coast to Hapuna Beach— the largest on the island — is worth the early wake-up. The beach is spacious enough to spread out. And if you still need more room, consider the clear waters, where you can snorkel and swim in calm conditions and body-board in the surf. Grab some snacks from KTA Superstore or a plate lunch from Pine Tree Cafe and make a day of it. gohawaii.com/big-island

— Recommended by Catherine Toth, a Hawaii-based food and travel blogger and freelance writer

Idaho

Crystal-clear Lake Coeur d’Alene is more than two dozen miles long and includes a waterfront preserve in downtown Coeur d’Alene with sandy beaches and hidden coves. You’ll be treated to scenic views of the Bitterroot Mountains, the “floating green” on the local golf course, and osprey and bald eagles fishing near the shoreline. You can relax on a lake cruise, parasail or rent watercraft. 877-782-9232; coeurdalene.org

— Recommended by Kitty Delorey Fleischman, publisher/editor, IDAHO magazine

Illinois

Lake Michigan sparkles to the east, the Chicago skyline rises to the south, and the free-admission Lincoln Park Zoo lies to the west. The surroundings of the wide, sandy expanse of Chicago’s North Avenue Beach alone would qualify it for top ranking in the state. But great people-watching, sand volleyball games, lifeguards and a fully equipped beachhouse with bar and bike rentals make it No. 1. chicagoparkdistrict.com/facilities/beaches

— Recommended by Laurie D. Borman, Illinois-based freelance travel writer

Indiana

You’ll find just over 3 miles of broad, sand beach — and freshwater swimming — along Lake Michigan’s southern shore. Behind it lies Indiana Dunes State Park‘s scattered hills of shifting sand. Tough going up Devil’s Slide dune, but thrilling to skid down! After visiting the Nature Center, enjoy a hike through forest and around the 1,530-acre Dunes Nature Preserve. Trail 8 climbs up-over-and-down four massive sand hills — with great lakeshore views. in.gov/dnr/parklake/2980.htm

— Recommended by Sally McKinney, author of Hiking Indiana

Iowa

Clear Lake is an iconic getaway town where a city beach and a state park beach packed with swimmers lie near the downtown’s cute shops and restaurants. A new bike path winds along both beaches and loops around the lake. The city park, complete with a band shell, hosts lots of summer festivals. clearlakeiowa.com

— Recommended by Geri Boesen, creative director, Midwest Living

Kansas

Scott State Park, north of Scott City, opens like a surprise package amidst the vast plains and farmland of western Kansas. Hidden in a wooded canyon of craggy cliffs, the park’s spring-fed lake has a pleasant swimming beach with a playground and concession stand offering food, fishing supplies, canoes and paddleboats. The 1,020-acre state park also has camping, hunting, nature trails and historic sites. kdwpt.state.ks.us/news/state-parks/locations/scott

— Recommended by Beth Reiber, freelance travel writer based in Lawrence, Kan.

Kentucky

Among the most popular of 17 state park resorts is Buckhorn Lake in the rugged mountains of eastern Kentucky. Created in 1961 when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dammed the Kentucky River, the lake offers swimming and water skiing plus rental cabins, a park lodge and nearby boat-in campsites. parks.ky.gov/parks/resortparks/buckhorn-lake/default.aspx

— Recommended by Stephen Vest, editor/publisher, Kentucky Monthly

Louisiana

Back in business after three hurricanes and a major oil spill, the khaki sand beach at Grand Isle, on the Gulf of Mexico south of New Orleans, stretches flat and shallow for 7 miles. There’s plenty of room to swim, wade, kayak or surf-fish, and the close-knit community’s family vibe and string of mom-and-pop motels, cabins, campgrounds and a state park (no amusement parks, strip malls or high-rise condos) is welcoming. grand-isle.com

— Recommended by Jack Curry Jr., New Orleans-based writer and blogger

Maine

In a state famous for waves crashing against its rock-bound coast, Ogunquit Beach‘s 3.5-mile stretch of sand has long made this small southern Maine town a summer mecca for beachgoers. The wide, scenic beach also sports a magnificent mile-long cliff walk. Stroll along Marginal Way for a grand view of beach and rock-strewn sea, all in one sweeping glance. ogunquit.org

— Recommended by Mel Allen, editor, Yankee Magazine

Maryland

Assateague Island National Seashore, a 37-mile-long barrier island that sweeps south from Ocean City, Md., into Virginia, offers sandy shores for kayaking and canoeing and lifeguard-protected beaches. Some beach areas are open to over-sand vehicles. For an unforgettable photo op, scan the shore for wild horses; this is one of the few places in the USA to see them in their environment. 410/641-1441;nps.gov/asis

— Recommended by Antonia van der Meer, editor in chief, Coastal Living magazine

Massachusetts

Crane Beach, part of the 2,100-acre Crane Estate in Ipswich, is a gorgeous property owned and protected by the non-profit Trustees of Reservations. Miles of white-sand shoreline and pristine water beckon swimmers and sunbathers, while 5 miles of trails through dunes, a wildlife refuge and the showpiece Great House are a delight to explore. Even in summer, the beach is never overcrowded because parking is strictly controlled. thetrustees.org/places-to-visit/northeast-ma/crane-beach-on-the-crane.html

— Recommended by Kim Foley MacKinnon, travel writer and author of Outdoors With Kids Boston

Michigan

Ludington’s Stearns Park Beach is just one of a string of lovely Ludington beaches that stretch for miles along Lake Michigan. The broad, white-sand swath is family-friendly, with a new skate park, easy access to town and a walkable pier out to North Breakwater Light. michigan.org.

— Recommended by Ellen Creager, travel writer, Detroit Free Press

Minnesota

Minnesota’s best beach lies on 6-mile-long Park Point, which shields Duluth’s harbor from the furious storms of Lake Superior. Though the water is rarely warm enough for swimming without a wetsuit, the beach is a great spot to watch incoming waves, giant saltwater freighters and Great Lakes ore carriers passing under Duluth’s signature Aerial Lift Bridge, and to spot birds that rest on the point during spring and fall migrations. The Park Point Nature Trail follows the beach and occasionally passes old-growth pine and tamarack. exploreminnesota.com

— Recommended by Greg Breining, author of Paddle North: Canoeing the Boundary Waters-Quetico Wilderness

Mississippi

You can get to Ship Island, off the Mississippi coast, only by boat. That’s just part of its charm. Undeveloped except for the century-old Fort Massachusetts, this remote beach destination is perfect for a languid day spent shelling and swimming in tranquil waters. Keep an eye out for bottle-nosed dolphins on your sunset cruise back to Gulfport. 866-466-7386; msshipisland.com

— Recommended by Stephanie Granada, travel editor, Southern Living magazine

Missouri

Table Rock Lake, created by a 6,423-foot-long dam that sits about 6 miles from the heart of the Branson strip in southwest Missouri, has more than 745 miles of shoreline. Private development is kept clear of the shoreline to ensure a natural look, with a buffer of open land for trees, wildflowers and wildlife. Marinas, campgrounds and resorts offer access to the lake, which is one of the largest and cleanest in the USA. 417-739-2564; visittablerocklake.com

— Recommended by Gary Figgins, editor, Show-Me Missouri magazine

Montana

The state’s 3,000-plus lakes include Whitefish Lake, a sparkling jewel in an eponymous town of 6,300. The 6-by-1-mile lake sports three public access areas, including City Beach, a sandy expanse with picnic shelters, barbecue grills, playground, dock and concession stand. Plus, you get spectacular views of the Whitefish Mountain Range. explorewhitefish.com

— Recommended by Jean Arthur, Montana-based freelance writer

Nebraska

Tucked into the proverbial middle of nowhere in central Nebraska, Calamus Reservoir gets its sandy beaches courtesy of the Sand Hills, a unique ecosystem of prairie grass and rolling sand dunes. And unlike many other state reservoirs, Calamus has very little development along its shoreline. Among the activities available on and off the water: sailboating, windsurfing, water skiing and bird-watching for such varied species as prairie chickens, pelicans and cormorants. outdoornebraska.com

— Recommended by Alan Bartels, field assistant editor, Nebraska Life magazine

Nevada

Pine-cone-flecked golden sand, towering evergreen forests and deep cobalt waters help Lake Tahoe’s Zephyr Cove compete with ocean beaches across the country. But it’s the frosty Rum Runner cocktails and abundance of beautiful young beachgoers that make this landlocked beach the best in Nevada. For sun seekers who aren’t tempted by fruity frozen drinks and toned, tanned bodies, the adjacent Zephyr Cove Resort features beachside relaxation in historic cabins and the M.S. Dixie II paddlewheel. It offers scenic tours and sunset dinner cruises across the breathtakingly beautiful mountain lake.

— Recommened by Charlie Johnston, associate editor, Nevada Magazine

New Hampshire

Newly renovated Hampton Beach State Park offers swimming, fishing, surfing, picnicking and RV camping (with full hookups) along 2 miles of Atlantic beachfront. Fun events include a sand sculpture competition in June and a seafood festival in September. The beach has been recognized by the National Resources Defense Council as having some of the cleanest water in the USA. nhstateparks.org

— Recommended by Tai Freligh, communications manager, New Hampshire Division of Travel & Tourism Development

New Jersey

New Jersey’s southernmost resort town, Cape May, boasts clean and wide ocean beaches and cozy, secluded bay beaches. TripAdvisor named it the No. 2 beach destination in the USA in 2011. Cape May also is renowned for perfectly preserved Victorian B&Bs and has gussied-up waterfront hotels and motels. 866-922-7362;discovercapemay.com

— Recommended by Ken Schlager, editor, New Jersey Monthly

New Mexico

The Blue Hole, aka “Nature’s Jewel,” in landlocked Santa Rosa, is a spring-fed pool with an inflow of 3,000 gallons per minute of crystal-clear 64-degree water. About 80 feet in diameter, it widens as it deepens, to 130 feet. It’s a popular swimming and diving spot today. But it dates to prehistoric times. Later, Spanish explorers, Pueblo Indians and, likely, Billy the Kid before he rode into Santa Rosa, cooled off in the Blue Hole. The ’30s brought Route 66, and the spot gained fame as one of the most refreshing stops along the Mother Road. It still is. santarosanm.org

— Recommended by Jan Butchofsky, travel photographer and longtime New Mexico resident

New York

At just over 30 miles long and under a mile wide, car-free Fire Island near New York City consists of national seashore, private property and vast expanses of golden-sand beaches that take up almost half the land. Visitors spend the summer swimming, taking lazy hikes, or getting around by rented bikes and little red wagons. If you haven’t rented a cottage, head to Ocean Beach for a hotel — as well as most of the island’s few restaurants and all its nightlife. nps.gov/fiis/index.htm

— Recommended by Neil Schlecht and Jason Clampet, Frommer’s Guides

North Carolina

The state’s coastline is one long, 300-mile beach: The trick is finding a stretch that’s not so remote you have to bring your own drinking water, or so overrun by T-shirt huts and putt-putts that you want to flee. Oak Island, south of Wilmington, has a nice blend of basic amenities and miles of open, mellow beach. There’s great kayaking on the sound side, a transportation system friendly to bikes, and small-town atmosphere. southport-oakisland.com

— Recommended by Joe Miller, a North Carolina-based blogger

North Dakota

North Dakota is far from an ocean, but it still has beautiful beaches, such as the hidden gem in Icelandic State Park. The beach along the shore of Lake Renwick is simply known as “the swimming area,” and its wide swath of soft sand invites digging in toes, building sandcastles and relaxing after a dip. Visitors also can cast a line here. 701-265-4561; parkrec.nd.gov

— Recommended by Beth Schatz Kaylor, North Dakota-based writer and blogger

Ohio

Cedar Point Beach was already acclaimed by a local newspaper in 1867 for its white sand and prime location along the north-central shore of Lake Erie. The beach grew in popularity boosted by a water trapeze, an 1892 roller coaster, and the historic Breakers Hotel. Today, the beach still boasts a mile stretch of pristine sand, a world-famous amusement park, parasailing, volleyball tournaments, and a unique list of famous guests and events throughout its history. cedarpoint.com

— Recommended by Tom and Joanne O’Toole, Ohio-based travel/outdoor journalists

Oklahoma

Nestled at the base of the Ouachita Mountains in eastern Oklahoma, McGee Creek State Park near Atoka includes the small but serene Buster Hight Beach Area. The 3,350-acre McGee Creek reservoir draws a mix of swimmers, anglers and boat enthusiasts, and — unlike other local watering holes — is rarely crowded. Most fellow parkgoers will be deer, rabbits and birds of all kinds. The beach is a perfect vantage point to watch each evening’s blazing sunset before heading to a cabin or campsite. travelok.com/listings/view.profile/id.4972

— Recommended by Megan Rossman, associate editor, Oklahoma Today

Oregon

The boulders, monoliths and towering sea stacks strewn along the southern Oregon coast serve as a dramatic backdrop for winter storms that steamroll across the Pacific. Come summer, however, uncrowded Bandon Beach is a favorite for strolling, splashing and horseback riding. Nearby oceanfront Bandon Dunes Golf Course, a classic Scottish-style links course, has been compared to Pebble Beach and St. Andrews. bandon.com

— Recommended by Alicia Spooner, editor/ publisher, Oregon Coast Magazine

Pennsylvania

A gentle giant, Pymatuning Reservoir is an all-ages escape. Unlike its Great Lakes cousin Erie, an hour north, Pymatuning offers sheltered beaches along 70 miles of wooded shoreline, family cabins and campgrounds, and a low-horsepower rule that keeps pontoon boats purring. Instead of using a boardwalk, families stroll the Linesville Spillway. So many ducks cluster at this fish hatchery that they literally walk on the fish — a sight that has made generations of toddlers giggle. pymatuning-state-park.org

— Recommended by Christine H. O’Toole, Pittsburgh-based freelance travel writer

Rhode Island

East Matunuck State Beach has more than enough to amuse everyone: waves perfect for boogie-boarding, a huge curve of fine sand to stroll, and a busy breachway at one end where you can watch everything from the Block Island ferry to working fishing boats come and go.A new pavilion and concession stand will open this summer, but if you’d like a casual sit-down lunch or dinner, walk a block or two to Jim’s Dock in the adjacent village of Jerusalem. riparks.com/eastmatunuck.htm

— Recommended by Pamela Thomas, former features editor, Providence Journal

South Carolina

Backed by undulating dunes, Kiawah Island‘s swath of sparkling sand stretches uninterrupted for 10 miles along the Atlantic Ocean. The spectacular beach on this private island is tops in the state for a serene spot to soak in the sun and surf. But you don’t have to stay at Kiawah Resort to experience its idyllic sands. Just outside the resort gates, Beachwalker County Park offers the only public access to the island’s beach. kiawahresort.com

— Recommended by M. Linda Lee, freelance travel editor and writer in Greenville, S.C.

South Dakota

Crowds will enjoy Lewis and Clark Lake west of Yankton this summer, but there will still be secluded spots on the shoreline. Sunbathers and swimmers take in views of sailboats and eagles on a big blue body of water bordered by yellow chalkstone bluffs. Hiking trails, a marina, bars, music and more make Lewis and Clark a popular prairie respite. 605-668-2985; lewisandclarkpark.com

— Recommended by Bernie Hunhoff, editor, South Dakota Magazine

Tennessee

Nashville Shores water park on Percy Priest Lake has a new Kowabunga Beach, complete with four-story treehouse and “sprayground.” Customers also can brave the waves in Breaker Bay wave pool, ride the Big Scream water slide and float down Castaway Creek, Tennessee’s widest lazy river. 615-889-7050; nashvilleshores.com

— Recommended by Cindy Dupree, Tennessee Department of Tourist Development

Texas

Only a 15-minute drive from Corpus Christi’s tourist-packed beach is Padre Island National Seashore, a 70-mile stretch of clean white sand and clear blue water. When you’re swimming, you can see the bottom — a rarity where the Gulf of Mexico meets the Lone Star State. This relatively uncrowded and serene area is a great place for families and nature lovers. Besides swimming, you can fish, camp, boat and barbecue. And it’s OK to park right on the sand. Just watch for nesting turtles and that pesky high tide. nps.gov/pais/index.htm

— Recommended by Ken Hoffman, columnist, Houston Chronicle

Utah

The season is short at Bear Lake Rendezvous Beach in northern Utah. But from Memorial Day to Labor Day, folks pack the expansive beach and nearby campground to enjoy boating, sandcastle building, volleyball and picnics. The water temperatures may be on the cool side, but the area provides a respite from the heat in the valley. Campers can enjoy shade provided by cottonwood, willow and birch trees. Boat and cabin rentals also are available. stateparks.utah.gov/parks/bear-lake/rendezvous

— Recommended by Tom Wharton, outdoors writer, The Salt Lake Tribune

Vermont

Carved by glaciers and hugged by Mount Hor and Mount Pisgah, 5-mile-long Lake Willoughby in Westmore boasts crystal-clear, usually chilly waters that reach more than 300 feet deep. The North Beach is frequented by families and lots of Canadian vacationers; the South Beach is accessed by a short trail and is clothing-optional. Cabins and camps line the east coast; state forest abuts the south and west. 800-884-8001;travelthekingdom.com

— Recommended by Jen Butson, Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing

Virginia

Sandwiched between the high-rises of Virginia Beach and the burgeoning vacation towns of the Outer Banks is a 10-mile-long expanse of beach unknown even to most Virginians. False Cape State Park and adjacent Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge occupy a narrow barrier spit — the Atlantic Ocean to the east, Back Bay to the west. Both offer a wild beach experience that is rare on the East Coast. www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/fal.shtml

— Recommended by Andy Thompson, outdoors columnist, Richmond Times-Dispatch

Washington

Reaching Olympic National Park’s Second Beach, located just south of La Push (yes, the La Push of werewolf infamy), requires less than a mile walk along a worn cedar path before emerging onto driftwood-strewn sands facing dramatic sea stacks. First Beach can get crowded, Third Beach requires a more arduous 1.2-mile hike, but Second Beach is just right, especially when the sun’s “golden locks” descend below the Pacific. www.nps.gov/olym

— Recommended by Crai S. Bower, Seattle-based outdoor writer

West Virginia

Located in central West Virginia, Summersville Lake— with five dozen miles of shoreline — is known for natural beauty, Civil War history and outdoor adventures. You can fish, swim, boat, scuba-dive and sunbathe. summersvillecvb.com or wvtourism.com

— Recommended by Jacqueline Proctor, West Virginia Division of Tourism

Wisconsin

At Racine’s North Beach, everyone from beach bums to pro volleyball players share a 50-acre stretch of well-groomed sand along Lake Michigan. The beach also is home to the fort-like Kids Cove, a large outdoor playground. The Racine Zoo is just three blocks north along a paved lakefront path. Other bonuses: weekend music concerts, lifeguards, free parking. cityofracine.org/depts/health/beach.aspx

— Recommended by Mary Bergin, author of Sidetracked in the Midwest: A Green Guide for Travelers

Wyoming

Wyoming isn’t exactly beachcomber territory, but Horseshoe Bend in Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area has a large swimming area. There are grass and trees above the beach for picnicking, and a marina offers rentals and refreshments. Guided boat trips weave under canyon cliffs past Native American cliff-dwelling ruins. nps.gov/bica

— Recommended by Chuck Coon, Wyoming Office of Tourism

Copyright © 2012 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc.

Source: USA TODAY

After a pair of impressive performances at Saturday night’s UFC 146 event, Junior Dos Santos (15-1 MMA, 9-0 UFC) and Cain Velasquez (10-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC) will meet for a second time.

UFC president Dana White confirmed at the evening’s post-event press conference that heavyweight champ Dos Santos will likely next face the man that he beat for the belt, Velasquez.

“I think it’s a good idea,” White told MMAjunkie.com. “I like it.”

A date and location for the event have yet to be determined.

UFC 146 took place Saturday night at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena. Dos Santos downed Frank Mir in the main event, defending an early takedown and then outboxing Mir before scoring a second-round TKO en route to the first successful defense of his title.

The victory served as Dos Santos’ 10th straight win overall, and he remains undefeated in the UFC octagon.

Meanwhile, Velasquez earned his first win since surrendering the belt to Dos Santos at this past November’s UFC on FOX 1 event.

Facing Strikeforce import Antonio Silva, Velasquez was in vintage form, taking the fight to the floor in the early going and pounding away from top position. A short Velasquez elbow opened a gash on Silva’s head that bled profusely and left “Bigfoot” struggling to see. Velasquez was unrelenting with his ground-and-pound and earned a stoppage with his brutal assault at the 3:36 mark of the round.

With the win, Velasquez rebounded from the first professional loss of his career.

Copyright © 2012 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc.

Source: USA TODAY

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — It’s final: Lady Gaga’s show in Indonesia won’t go on.

Islamic hard-liners have threatened violence if the pop diva holds her “Born This Way Ball” concert in the world’s most populous Muslim country, saying her sexy clothes and provocative dance moves could corrupt youth. Police refused to issue the necessary permits unless she agreed to tone things down.

Concert promotion lawyer Minola Sebayang confirmed Sunday that the June 3 show had been canceled.

He said, “With threats if the concert goes ahead, Lady Gaga’s side is calling off the concert. This is not only about Lady Gaga’s security, but extends to those who will be watching her.”

Indonesia, a nation of 240 million people, was supposed to be the biggest performance on Lady Gaga’s Asian tour.

Copyright © 2012 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc.

Source: USA TODAY

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker never stopped running.

Three days after the Republican moved into the governor’s office in January 2011, his campaign staff was writing checks to consultants, TV stations and fundraisers. And they haven’t stopped.

With a historic recall election against Democratic challenger Tom Barrett set for June 5, Walker’s campaign has spent more than $20 million since he took office, nearly double the amount spent to get him elected, a Gannett Wisconsin Media review has found.

The spending has occurred during a time when governors typically shut down most of their campaign operations.

“We don’t usually see this kind of money being spent on consultants and campaign staff and campaign activity in the year right after an election. But then, it was pretty clear early on that (Walker) was likely going to face a recall election,” said Mike McCabe, executive director of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, a nonpartisan group that tracks spending on political campaigns.

“And so, I don’t think the campaign ever shut down. In fact, it ratcheted up. The level of activity so far surpassed what it was at the peak of the 2010 campaign,” McCabe said.

After Walker took office last year, Republicans quickly pushed through reforms that eliminated most collective bargaining powers for teachers and other public union employees and forced those workers to pay more for their health insurance and retirement benefits.

Walker said the changes were needed to help fix a $3.6 billion state budget deficit, which has all but been erased. But his opponents maintain that Walker’s real goal was to strip power from unions, which mostly have backed Democratic candidates for state offices.

Walker’s moves sparked massive protests at the Capitol throughout late winter. Signs appeared immediately — literally and figuratively — that Walker would have to campaign to hold on to power. When he had been on the job just three months, his opponents already were organizing to kick him out.

In all, Walker’s campaign has taken in more than more than $25 million since he became governor and has spent about $20 million. During his 2010 campaign, he spent about $11 million, according to the campaign finance reports.

Walker’s campaign spokeswoman, Ciara Matthews, declined to comment in any detail about the continued spending.

She issued this statement by email: “Just as he is did in 2010, Governor Walker will campaign by taking his message right to the voters of Wisconsin. He was elected two years ago by a majority of voters on the promise of fiscal responsibility and restraint in government, and that is exactly how he has governed.

“Governor Walker looks forward to drawing a stark contrast between his plans to keep Wisconsin moving forward and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett’s plans to take the state back to the failed policies of the past.”

Matthews declined to answer further questions, but Gannett Wisconsin Media gleaned information from the thousands of pages of campaign finance reports Walker has filed. The spending figures reflect spending through April 23. On Tuesday, the campaigns will report four more weeks of spending data.

TV, mailings top expenses

So far, Walker’s campaign has spent most of its money on TV ads and mailers. The campaign spent more than $7.7 million on TV ads and more than $6.1 million on mailing services. The campaign also spent thousands on smaller expenses, such as yard signs ($63,387.45), food and drinks for fundraisers ($92,673.42) and polls ($264,531.95).

Arnold Shober, an assistant professor of government at Lawrence University in Appleton, said the spending is unprecedented.

“For most governors, you are going to find that those campaign things go into the background early on,” Shober said. “The level (of campaigning) here in Wisconsin is unusual.”

The campaign spent big dollars to pay people to keep the operation running after the 2010 election. Included in the spending is more than $1.8 million on consultants, attorneys and campaign staff, a Gannett Wisconsin Media review has found.

Campaign finance reports show that through April 23, Walker spent $254,049 on campaign staff and about $1.27 million on consultants.

Walker also spent $342,909 on legal fees, including $60,000 transferred to a legal defense fund created in reaction to an investigation that has targeted former Walker staff members from his time as Milwaukee County executive, the job he held before running for governor.

Barrett spending far behind

Walker’s spending dwarfs Barrett’s, the records show. Phil Walzak, a Barrett spokesman, said Walker has outspent Barrett about 20-1.

“Scott Walker can spend all the money in the world and he doesn’t seem to be able to convince or compel the voters of Wisconsin that his way is working,” Walzak said. “Tom likes to say that, based on those spending disparities, Walker should be crushing Tom Barrett but he’s clearly not. That has a lot to do with people’s concerns about Walker.”

Barrett, whom Walker defeated in 2010, entered the recall race for governor March 30. Campaign finance records show his campaign spent $33,430 on staff and $19,766 on consultants, for a total of $53,196, in April.

Walzak said some people from the 2010 gubernatorial campaign, including himself, are working again on the Barrett campaign.

Shober said it’s not unusual for politicians to hang onto key campaign staff.

“These are people the governor, as a candidate, learns to trust,” he said.

“These are people who make you look good, want you to make politically the right decisions, say the right things.”

McCabe said campaigns use consultants for a number of reasons. He said there are consulting firms that specialize in fundraising; others specialize in producing and placing television ads.

“Rather than create a staff that is so large that it handles all of those things in house, they rely on these outside firms,” McCabe said.

“It’s become a big business.”

Consultants’ roles unclear

Figuring out specifically what consultants do can be tough to discern from reports. The Walker campaign listed payments to a dozen different consultants, describing the payments in campaign finance reports as “consulting fees — general.”

Reid Magney, a spokesman for the state Government Accountability Board, which oversees campaign finance reporting, said it asks campaigns to be as specific as possible.

“Part of the way this works, is they put things up there and if members of the public or the media have questions, you are free to call the campaign and ask them, ‘What is this consultant for?’”

But Gannett Wisconsin Media did just that, and Walker’s spokeswoman declined to answer questions about consultants.

McCabe said the campaign finance reports clearly are not specific enough.

“The public is not being given adequate disclosure of campaign expenses at all,” he said. “When you look at a campaign expense report, you get just a general idea of where money is being spent.”

McCabe said this not only denies the public an ability to know much about campaign spending, but it also makes misconduct possible.

“I’m not saying that any of the participants in this recall election are engaged in illegal campaign spending, but I’ll tell you, the inadequacy of campaign spending disclosure certainly opens the door to it.”

Jones also writes for The (Appleton, Wis.) Post-Crescent.

Copyright © 2012 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc.

Source: USA TODAY

Four key points in the aftermath of the Boston Celtics’ 85-75 Game 7 victory Saturday vs. the Philadelphia 76ers:

With their team up eight points and Ray Allen at the free-throw line, Celtics fans filled TD Garden with a serenade: “Beat the Heat.”

“Let’s do it,” Kevin Garnett told ABC’s Doris Burke after Boston advanced to the Eastern Conference finals.

The Celtics beat the Miami Heat three times in four regular-season meetings. They eliminated Heat star LeBron James from the postseason twice while he was with the Cleveland Cavaliers. They are stocked with veterans, and the core from the 2008 NBA and 2010 Eastern Conference championships remains.

But they’re coming off the series that offense forgot. “Now let us never speak of this series again,” NBA blogger Eric Freeman tweeted. The No. 8 seed 76ers dragged the Celtics down the court for seven games, a young team forcing an old team to scrap for every point. Philadelphia and Boston had two of the three most efficient defenses in the NBA this year, so it wasn’t a surprise.

The Celtics now run into a Heat team that reeled off three consecutive easy victories to knock off the Indiana Pacers, scoring 100 points in each. Miami eliminated Boston in five games last season. Can the Celtics keep pace?

That may be the biggest issue. In the first regular-season meeting, the Heat pushed the tempo to take advantage of the Celtics’ aging stars and won 115-107. The second game was a grinding Boston rout, as the Heat shot 34.8% from the field and lost 91-72. The Celtics again controlled the pace in the third game, a 115-107 win in which scoring was sparked by offensive efficiency on both sides.

Both of these teams are hobbled right now. The Celtics will be without Avery Bradley, a starter in all three wins and their top defensive guard, after he had shoulder surgery Friday. Ray Allen has a sore ankle; Paul Pierce a sprained knee. The Heat aren’t expecting forward Chris Bosh to return from an abdominal strain for the series.

Bosh may not be missed. He shot 7-for-24 in the second and third regular-season meetings. Bosh stretches the defense and opens up the pick-and-roll game for Miami, but Boston defends it well.

It’s Bradley’s injury that may be the Celtics’ undoing. Allen can’t guard Dwyane Wade normally, and he’ll be especially taxed with his ankle injury. Wade struggled in the first three games against the Pacers, but he totaled 99 points on 61.5% shooting in the final three. The adjustment: Wade figured out how to score without Bosh, his pick-and-roll partner.

Then there’s LeBron James. At his best, Pierce is perhaps the league’s best answer for the Heat forward. But he’s a step slow right now, playing through pain. The Celtics will mix things up against James, using Mickael Pietrus along with a few bigger players to defend him physically. But if Pierce can’t keep up with the MVP, no Celtic can.

Boston looked old at times. Boston looked lucky at times. Boston looked gritty at times. A short turnaround — Game 1 is Monday (8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN) — won’t help. Allen will have to hit his shots; he missed the first five threes he took Saturday. Rajon Rondo will have to dominate the way he did in the fourth quarter of his ninth playoff triple-double performance. Garnett and Pierce will have to play like the future Hall of Famers they are.

Even then, the Heat still may win.

Philadelphia’s future hinges on Evan Turner. The second pick in the 2010 draft hasn’t looked the part, but the 76ers are in need of identity. Turner was expected to be an offensive conduit, a skilled swingman who played point guard at Ohio State. But his power scoring hasn’t translated, and he can’t hit jump shots. Turner shot 33.8% from the field in the seven-game series against the Celtics, with 10 of his shots blocked despite his athleticism and size. Coach Doug Collins would love to build his team around Turner and point guard Jrue Holiday, but Andre Iguodala instead has carried the mantle on the wings. “I can’t begin to describe how disappointed I am in Evan Turner. Train wreck after game 3 of CHI series. I don’t want silver lining,” 76ers blogger Derek Bodner tweeted.

Rondo is the Celtics’ best player. He’s one of the most unique players in the NBA, with the ability to slow down the game and find open teammates. Rondo assisted on Boston’s first four field goals, then scored its fifth. He went on a personal 9-2 run late in the fourth quarter to give the Celtics an 80-70 lead, even making a three-pointer in the process. At times, Rondo’s statistics pile up invisibly. In the final quarter, he was at full force. He finished with 18 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, and those seven turnovers were mostly inconsequential. Pierce has a penchant for the big moment, and Garnett yells a lot at everyone. But Rondo’s passed both. And we loved his green-vest fashion statement after the game.

The Western Conference finals should be memorable. The San Antonio Spurs have reeled off 18 consecutive wins dating to the regular season. The Oklahoma City Thunder have knocked off teams responsible for the past three NBA titles in nine combined games. Game 1 Sunday (8:30 p.m. ET, TNT) may favor the rested Spurs, who are nearly unbeatable at home. But we’ll be tuned in for every minute.

Copyright © 2012 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc.

Source: USA TODAY

The convoy of local long-haul semis and Army gun trucks was rumbling eastward on a darkened Highway 1 toward Mazar-e-Sharif when the unit’s gunners and commanders spotted a flashing light. It was a signal.

Then the shooting began.

“We started taking contact from both sides,” said Spc. Norman Greene, a driver and gun truck commander with the 1,049th Transportation Company, a National Guard unit based in Delaware. “It was small arms, AK-47 — what we call a complex attack. We just returned fire and pushed through.”

Less than a month of the unit’s deployment to Afghanistan had passed. It was the second time the unit had been fired upon, and the first for Spc. Joseph Igartua, who was on rear spotter duty when the tracers started flying.

“When you see rounds coming at you from all angles, you just gotta try to keep your cool as best you can,” he said.

For some, it’s the coming home, not the fighting, that is the toughest part of such deployments. It’s trying to adjust to life in the peaceful United States, where the intense vigilance a combat zone demands downshifts to watching for cars before crossing the street.

Some return with physical ailments — orthopedic problems are most prevalent. The other most common concerns are behavioral. The greatest of these is post-traumatic stress disorder, a debilitating anxiety disorder that exposure to combat can produce. Estimates of the prevalence of PTSD in troops who’ve returned from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan range from 14% to 21%; some believe it’s even higher.

Suicide is equally concerning. For the past several years, the suicide rate of active-duty troops has exceeded that of the general population.

The military has taken notice and, gradually over the past decade, increased the amount of time and the degree of care it provides for troops returning home. Troops now spend up to two weeks at demobilization centers being questioned, examined and, if need be, probed for clues to potential problems both physical and mental.

“We put paths of care in place to address those that will then follow them as they transition back into a civilian status,” said Brig. Gen. Kendall Penn, a deputy commanding general with First Army, which oversees the mobilization, training, deployment and redeployment of Reserve Component units. “We also put all their records back in order, get their pay straight. … We set them up for success.”

Doing so without regard for how long it takes marks a cultural change for the Army, said Col. Michael Shrout, commander of the 72nd Field Artillery Brigade, which oversees demobilization at Mobilization Training Center Dix, center for Guard and Reserve units. “There’s nothing to this about time,” he said the returning troops are told. “We don’t get any points for how fast it happens. We get points for having it done correctly.”

‘Always on edge’

On Monday, the 1,049th landed at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst to begin that process, which must be completed before they can return home to Delaware.

The unit returns from the war in better shape than many. Incredibly, despite spending most of the deployment on fraught-with-danger convoy duty, the 170-member unit did not encounter a single roadside bomb — the No. 1 killer of U.S. troops during the war — and suffered no deaths or serious injuries.

“Very good command organizations like us, very good units, have lost folks two weeks into their deployment, two weeks prior to the end of their deployment,” said Capt. Shane Mason of Elkton, Md., the 1,049th commander. “You know, it’s sad to see the faces and see the names … and just to understand that’s not us … really, it’s a fabulous feeling, but it’s very humbling as well.”

Despite the early-deployment attacks, it was the unit’s good fortune, several said, to be assigned to Regional Command North, the least restive and deadly part of Afghanistan, although a couple of its convoys traveled to the far-more-dangerous East region. As of Saturday, 1,812 U.S. troops had died in Afghanistan since 2001 — 20 of them in Balkh province, where the 1,049th was based — according to the authoritative independent website iCasualties.org.

“Some folks say it’s about luck and skill,” Mason said. “I’d say it’s about both. Sometimes you can have all the skill and not the best of luck. … We were fortunate to be in RC North, where we had other enemies to deal with, such as the environment.”

For a transportation unit like the 1,049th, that meant driving on snow-packed, two-lane mountain roads with no guard rails and 1,000-foot drop-offs.

“It’s nerve-racking when you’re the driver,” said Spc. Erin Collins, of Lewes. “But you’ve just got to hold your breath and keep going. That’s what I did, anyway.”

The tension level rose considerably in January, when a video of Marines urinating on dead insurgent fighters and what was termed the inadvertent burning of Qurans helped prompt a string of killings of U.S. and other NATO troops. In March, a U.S. soldier allegedly shot and killed 17 unarmed Afghan civilians. NATO forces were placed on alert.

“We were always on edge,” said Spc. Hance Duncaster of Middletown, a former active-duty Marine who fought in Iraq during the 2003 invasion.

No 1,049th personnel were threatened during the tense winter and spring. Mostly, their encounters were neutral or positive, unit members said.

“The country needs a lot of help,” said Sgt. Marty McIsaac, a power generator mechanic and member of Georgetown’s 198th Signal Battalion. He reported “mixed emotions” about the U.S. presence.

“Some are happy we’re there; some are not,” he said. “Some are grateful for what we’re doing. It was eye-opening to Westerners like myself — how primitive it is, how important religion is to them … how they value things such as fresh water, things that we take for granted a lot as Americans.”

McIsaac said he’d go back. “But not right away,” he quickly added.

Some of the unit’s female soldiers might readily agree. The 1,049th had but 11 in its ranks.

“It’s rough,” said Spc. Angela Morris, of Seaford, a maintenance specialist. “You have to prove yourself. We go through a struggle every day to prove ourselves.”

Internal battle

For some troops, such struggles continue on the home front.

“We see a lot of soldiers coming back with PTSD,” said Army Reserve Lt. Col. John Shaffer, officer in charge of the Behavioral Health branch of the Joint Readiness Center, or JRC, at McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. But Shaffer, a longtime military social worker who voluntarily came back on active duty in 2010 to help fill the Army’s shortage of mental health workers, said what is termed “combat stress” — a step below mild PTSD — is even more prevalent.

Those afflicted can’t sleep, are hyper-vigilant and can get angry quickly, Shaffer said. It’s usually treated with counseling, therapy and instruction on how to simply relax.

Those with varying degrees of PTSD, he said, have greater mental health issues. The symptoms include serious signs of depression, fear of public areas and flashbacks and nightmares. Sufferers may self-medicate by abusing alcohol or their medications.

It’s the job of Shaffer and his staff to determine the degree to which returning troops may be suffering.

“I think the number is larger than we want to believe,” Shaffer said.

Officials have worked hard to remove a major barrier to treatment: the stigma some troops attach to such an admission out of fear they’ll lose the respect of their comrades.

“I would say that, even in the last two years that I’ve been here, that that stigma is being somewhat erased; commanders are … encouraging their soldiers to be seen,” Shaffer said.

Unit leaders give JRC health clinicians advance notice about troops they feel might need behavioral health assistance upon return. But the default method of spotting mental health problems is through the troops themselves — “self-disclosure,” as Col. Yee Simmons, a nurse practitioner who oversees all clinical matters at the JRC, termed it.

Returning troops fill out health assessments that ask questions such as, “Did you see anyone wounded, killed or dead during this deployment?” A certain number of “yes” answers trigger follow-up questions during the one-on-one evaluation by a health care provider given to every returning soldier.

Not all the providers are mental health specialists, but all are trained to ask gently probing questions that can elicit admissions of concern from soldiers.

“That is the art of the provider — how you interact with the service member, how much you really emphasize the importance of letting the behavioral health piece be taken care of,” Simmons said. “We are very diligent. We don’t take this issue lightly. We carry this issue to the soldier.”

Uppermost on many minds, officials say, are the relationships left behind, carried out over the past 10 months via e-mail, international phone calls and two-way Skype video chats.

“Whether somebody’s had a hot deployment with a lot of combat-type action or they’ve had things pretty slow, a year away from families just creates inherent issues,” said Capt. Timothy Sastic, a Delaware National Guard chaplain assigned to the JRC. “You always have a few (troops), in a unit the size of the 1,049th, that aren’t sure if their spouse is gonna be there when they’re back.”

Sometimes, the issues turn deadly serious, as evidenced by high military suicide rates — in 2011, higher than ever within the Army, according to a service report.

The problems can be job- or finance-related as well as combat-related or personal. Shaffer declined to characterize the overall mental health of the 1,049th. But troops said the unit seems to have returned in good overall shape.

It’s been a year away from home — two months of training and 10 months in Afghanistan, and a long week of demobilization work in New Jersey. At 11 a.m. Monday, that comes to an end. The unit is scheduled to step off a group of buses in Harrington for a grand homecoming before state and Guard officials, friends and family.

“For a lot of us in the National Guard,” said Spc. Robert Torbert, of Harrington, “we’re just ready to get back to our civilian lives.”

Copyright © 2012 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc.

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Junior Dos Santos’ first successful title defense is in the books.

The UFC heavyweight champion cruised in his first bout since winning the title from Cain Velasquez and topped ex-champ Frank Mir via second-round TKO.

The title fight headlined UFC 146 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and aired on pay-per-view following prelims on FX and Facebook.

On a PPV lineup featuring nothing but heavyweights, Dos Santos’ win provided a dominant finish to one of the year’s biggest and most publicized UFC events.

Mir shot early for a takedown and secured a single leg, but when he failed to drag the fight to the mat, “Cigano” quickly took the edge with single punches to the head and body. Mir landed some low kicks throughout the opening round, but Dos Santos got through uppercuts, body punches and straight rights to the chin. After a series of body shots, Dos Santos then rocked Mir with a straight right, and though he unloaded a quick barrage of follow-up punches to his dazed opponent, he couldn’t get the stoppage before the round ended.

Mir appeared to shake the cobwebs for the start of the second round, but Dos Santos stunned him again and sent him to the mat with additional blows. Dos Santos waited for him to stand again, and once up, he continued the mix of head and body shots. He then dropped Mir again with a straight counter-right and unloaded with more punches when Mir turtled up on the mat.

The ref had seen enough and halted the action at the 3:04 mark in the second round of a scheduled five.

Dos Santos celebrated the victory with 9-year-old Breno Luis Ferreira de Carvalho, a young protege from his gym in the Brazilian town of Salvador. As with other media events through the week, Dos Santos brought him into the cage and hoisted him onto a shoulder.

The feel-good story, though, did little to tame the champ’s killer instincts on fight night.

“That’s not bad for a nice guy, eh?” Dos Santos (15-1 MMA, 9-0 UFC) said after the fight. “I came here to defend my belt, and I did it.”

Mir, who replaced would-be title challenger Alistair Overeem in early April after the No. 1 contender failed a surprise pre-fight drug test, hoped to claim a UFC title for the third time in his decorated career. But he admitted he simply couldn’t keep up with his opponent.

“He’s the champ,” Mir (16-6 MMA, 14-6 UFC) said. “He’s fast, and I couldn’t get out of the way. He just hit me too many times.”

Cain Velasquez batters, bloodies Antonio Silva

In his first fight since losing the UFC title to Junior Dos Santos, Cain Velasquez proved he’s still a premier heavyweight.

Facing former EliteXC champ and recent Strikeforce fighter Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva, Velasquez unloaded a one-sided beatdown en route to a first-round TKO victory.

Velasquez caught an early kick and immediately took the fight to the mat. Working from half guard, he unloaded a barrage of punches and elbows that opened a deep gash on the bridge of Silva’s nose.

As the blood spurted, referee Josh Rosenthal called for the doctor to check the cut. With his and Silva’s clearance, the bout continued on the mat. Velasquez immediately targeted the UFC newcomer with more punches and elbows as the blood continued gushing and pooling in Silva’s eyes.

Silva rolled to his knees, but Velasquez continued the assault, rolled him to his back, and unloaded a violent final volley of punches that mercifully resulted in a TKO stoppage at the 3:36 mark of the opening round.

“This is definitely a step in the right direction,” said Velasquez, who credited Daniel Cormier, a teammate who picked up a victory over Silva in the Strikeforce heavyweight grand prix back in September. “Just to know what you did in the past and to get over that and take a step in the right direction … it’s great.”

Velasquez (10-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC) picks up ninth career knockout win and could be in line for a title shot. Silva (16-4 MMA, 0-1 UFC), suffers back-to-back losses for the first time in his career.

Roy Nelson scores single-punch KO

Stuck in a 1-3 skid, Roy Nelson desperately needed a victory – not only to prove he deserved a spot on an all-star heavyweights-only lineup, but also to save his job.

Against fellow heavyweight Dave Herman, “Big Country” got it in remarkable fashion with a single shot that carried him to a quick and efficient first-round victory.

Herman used his reach and height advantage early in the fight to deliver knees and kicks. However, Nelson quickly unloaded a big, looping right hand that caught Herman flush. The blow sent “Pee Wee” spinning and crashing to the mat, and Nelson unloaded a single follow-up shot before referee Steve Mazzagatti halted the action.

The highlight-reel knockout took 51 seconds.

“My plan was to wrestle,” Nelson said. “My coaches had a different game plan, which was hit him in the face. Guess it worked. Clearly my hands have dynamite in them or small rock or whatever.”

Stipe Miocic TKOs Shane Del Rosario

Stipe Miocic certainly looked the part of famous Croatian fighter Mirko Filipovic, wearing similar checkered shorts to those that “Cro Cop” often sported.

But Miocic’s opponent Shane Del Rosario was actually the more effective striker, mimicking Filipovic’s famous high kicks.

In the end, though, standing strikes played no part in the clash of undefeateds, and Miocic ended Del Rosario’s perfect record on the ground with brutalizing elbows.

Del Rosario, who was returning to the cage for the first time in 14 months from a debilitating car crash, controlled the first round with a series of low and high kicks that knocked Miocic off his stride and forced him to duck for cover. At one point midway through the opening round, Del Rosario nearly followed up a staggering blow with a fight-ending kick.

Instead Miocic survived until the second round and decided he was better off getting things to the ground. He landed a single-leg takedown to take control, and he settled against the fence with a series of hammer fists as Del Rosario started trickling blood from his nose. Moments later Del Rosario was on his back and in a world of trouble as Miocic followed with razor-sharp elbows that eventually opened a huge gash over his right eye and forced ref Yves Lavigne to stop things at the 3:14 mark of the second round.

Stefan Struve submits Lavar Johnson in 1st round

Stefan Struve quickly alleviated any fears of a plodding pace to the UFC’s first modern-day all-heavyweights main card.

In the first main-card bout of UFC 146, Struve pulled guard and quickly submitted knockout artist Lavar Johnson with a slick armbar.

While critics worried that a heavyweights-only bill could produce slow and boring 15-minute snoozers, Struve got the night off to a quick and entertaining start.

After eating an early uppercut, Struve got an underhook and pulled guard. He quickly went high with the guard, and just seconds later, he secured the armbar and forced a quick tap-out from Johnson, who appeared to suffer a broken arm in the process.

The entire sequence took the 6-foot-11 Dutchman a mere 65 seconds.

Contributing: Andy Samuelson

Copyright © 2012 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc.

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Tropical Storm Beryl already was wrecking some Memorial Day weekend plans on Sunday, sending shoreline campers packing to head inland and canceling some events in the southeastern U.S.

Beryl was still well offshore, but officials in Georgia and Florida were already bracing for drenching rains and driving winds. Campers at Cumberland Island, which is reachable only by boat, were told to leave by 4:45 p.m. The island has a number of undeveloped beaches and forests popular with campers.

However, many people seemed determined to make the best of the soggy forecast.

At Greyfield Inn, a 19th-century mansion and the only private inn on Cumberland Island, the rooms were nearly full Sunday and everyone was planning to stay put through the wet weather, said Dawn Drake, who answered the phone at the inn’s office on the Florida coast.

In Jacksonville, Fla., Sunday’s jazz festival and Memorial Day ceremony were canceled. Workers are also out clearing tree limbs and debris that could be tossed about by the storm’s winds, which had reached 65 mph Sunday.

But business was booming at Red Dog Surf Shop in New Smyrna Beach, where customers flocked to buy boards and wax in anticipation of the storm’s high waves. Officials all along the coast warned of rip currents, waves and high tides — all of which can be dangerous but also tend to attract adventurous surfers.

Joe Murphy, a spokesman for the Ritz Carlton in Amelia Island, said he was not seeing a flood of checkouts or people trying to get off the island. The hotel expected about 140 checkouts out of 466 rooms, he said.

Outdoor dining had been moved inside and the hotel set up movies and family game activities, but the hotel had no plans to board up or move patio furniture inside.

“So far it’s kind of business as usual, but with that sort of anticipation of what does the storm mean,” Murphy said.

Beryl was centered about 110 miles east of Jacksonville, and about 120 miles southeast of Brunswick, Ga.. Current forecasts have it making landfall late Sunday or early Monday, though tropical storm conditions with heavy rain and wind were to reach shore hours sooner.

Tropical storm warnings were in effect for the entire Georgia coastline, as well as parts of Florida and South Carolina. Once Beryl comes ashore, it was expected to continue dumping rain over parts of Florida and Georgia on Monday before slowly moving back out to sea.

On Tybee Island, a barrier island not far from Savannah, water off the beaches was closed for swimming Sunday. Tybee Island fire Chief C.L. Sasser said winds of up to 42 mph were creating “horrendous water currents.” Only people with flotation devices strapped or tethered to their bodies were being allowed into the water, and they were being cautioned to not venture in farther than knee deep.

“Even if you’re standing in waist-deep water, the current can sweep you out quickly,” he said.

His ocean rescue team pulled a total of 48 people from the water on Saturday, he said, including about 27 that were considered to be in life-threatening conditions. One man who was sucked under the water was rescued by friends and onlookers and was taken to the hospital in serious condition.

A band of showers soaked the beaches late Sunday morning, causing crowds to thin, Sasser said. With alternating rainy and sunny weather forecast throughout the day, he said he expected the crowds on the sands to ebb and flow.

In South Carolina, Janice Keith with the Myrtle Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau said the office hadn’t fielded any calls from concerned tourists.

In Beaufort County, emergency management deputy director David Zeoli said officials were continuing to monitor the storm and encourage people to have a plan in case conditions get worse.

Zeoli said winds had kicked up in the area that includes Hilton Head Island, a popular golf and beach destination. “It’s just a wet day here,” he said.

Copyright © 2012 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc.

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For Richard Grenell, buying a house in Palm Springs and setting out to renovate it with his partner is just the diversion he may need after a tumultuous year.

Grenell, known as “Ric” to his Palm Springs friends, made headlines this year after he resigned as the openly gay national security spokesman for the Mitt Romney campaign. He lasted less than two weeks on the job.

Now that he is beginning to talk about that experience for the first time, Grenell denies he was forced out, while acknowledging he took heat from both the political left and the right.

In an interview with The Desert Sun, Grenell said: “The far left doesn’t want a gay person to be conservative and the far right doesn’t want a conservative to be gay. Some of the most hateful, mean-spirited intolerant comments about me being the foreign policy and national security spokesman for Governor Romney … were coming from the left.”

But it was the far right that gloated louder than the far left after Grenell’s resignation. Leading the charge was the conservative American Family Association’s Bryan Fischer, who called Grenell’s resignation a “huge win for us.”

Grenell denies he was forced out by social conservatives, noting that he’s been an openly-gay Republican spokesman for decades.

“The right I’m very comfortable with, taking those hits and barbs, because I’ve had a 20-year career where I’ve worked for politicians, I’ve worked on elections, on campaigns, and I know exactly the trajectory of the assaults from the far right.”

So if he wasn’t forced out why did he quit?

Grenell says all the publicity about him being an openly gay Romney staffer obscured the message he was trying to get out.

“They did not force me to resign. I resigned because I’m very passionate about foreign policy and national security issues.” But, he says, “When the messenger becomes part of the message — if you really care about these issues — you should step aside.”

Grenell didn’t help himself when news broke that his Twitter account included numerous tweets from him that ridiculed prominent Republicans and Democrats alike, including Hillary Clinton, Callista Gingrich and Michelle Obama.

But his tweet about openly-gay newscaster Rachel Maddow especially angered many fellow gays and lesbians. Grenell seemed to mock her as being too masculine and a lesbian stereotype, saying, “Rachel Maddow needs to take a breath and put on a necklace.”

That brought this response from influential gay journalist Michaelangelo Signorile, who wrote in The Huffington Post, “It was the kind of crack many would expect from a homophobic straight guy.”

Still, members of the Romney campaign said afterwards they wished Grenell had not resigned, with Romney himself calling Grenell “a capable individual.”

And after all the controversy Grenell continues to support Romney over President Obama, despite the fact that Grenell’s support of same-sex marriage is more in line with Obama’s position than Romney’s.

“I think I am like most Americans in that we’re multi-dimensional. We have varied views and we don’t fit comfortably in a one-dimensional box that either the news media or some extremists on the left or the right want to put us in.”

As for his life in Palm Springs, the 45-year-old Grenell plans to be active in Desert politics, saying, “I’m committed to help Congresswoman (Mary) Bono Mack in any way I can … I like her policies very much.”

Then, there’s that newly purchased house.

“We’re doing a lot of renovation on it, so I think we will be spending quite a bit of time here.”

He can use that time to decompress from his turbulent year.

“I love Palm Springs,” he says. “First of all I am a huge fan of midcentury modern architecture, furniture, culture, and I combine that with the Southern California sensibilities of life: being very smart but not having to wear it on your sleeve and prove to everybody you’re so smart.”

Copyright © 2012 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc.

Source: USA TODAY

Boston Celtics fans have been counting down the days together for Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen.

Boston’s Big 3 lives to play another day.

But it was the late play of Rajon Rondo that proved pivotal, with his rebounding and nine consecutive points, that got the Celtics to a 85-75 home victory Saturday against the Philadelphia 76ers to advance to the third Eastern Conference finals since the Big 3 formed in 2007-08.

The Celtics, improving the franchise’s Game 7 record at home to 18-4, improved to 5-0 this postseason in games following a loss. Neither team could put two wins in a row together.

Boston advances to face the Heat in Miami on Monday to open the Eastern Conference finals. The Heat knocked Boston from the playoffs a year ago in five games but lost three of four to the Celtics during this regular season, although the stars for both teams were rested in the last.

“Let’s do it!” was Garnett’s response to facing the Heat, who will have Udonis Haslem back from suspension but still will be without Chris Bosh (abdominal strain), for the first game at the very least.

“Last year is in the past,” Rondo said. “This year we’re a totally different team. We feel we can beat Miami. We got to this point; there’s no doubt in my mind we can. We’ve got to go down there and take care of business.”

Rondo’s sudden scoring late in the fourth quarter came a minute after the Celtics lost star forward Paul Pierce to a sixth foul.

“Rondo wants to run the team, and he’s a great quarterback. But with Paul fouling out, he had to take charge of the team,” Celtics coach Doc Rivers said.

Rondo said: “The shots I was usually making in the beginning I was missing. I made them in the fourth. It was a team effort tonight. We won like a team.”

Rondo finished with 18 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds, his ninth playoff triple-double, tied for fourth all-time with the late Wilt Chamberlain. Rondo is just the sixth player to hit for a triple-double in a Game 7. The last was Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook last postseason.

“Rondo came up with some huge plays to break the game open,” 76ers coach Doug Collins said.

Rondo had 11 points in the fourth quarter, including his first three-pointer in five games, made all four of his free throws down the stretch and got his 10th rebound in the final minute.

“He really came through,” Sixers guard Jrue Holiday said. “He put the team on his back.”

All five Boston starters scored in double figures. Pierce had 15 points, Garnett 18 points and 13 rebounds, Allen contributing 11 points while still battling a bum ankle and Brandon Bass with 16 points.

The Celtics were without guard Avery Bradley, who is done for the rest of the playoffs after having shoulder surgery. Bradley had been a key part of the Celtics’ defense. Without him, Allen move back into the starting lineup.

Andre Iguodala, with 18 points, led the eighth-seeded 76ers, who had knocked out the No. 1 Chicago Bulls in the first round and got the first Game 7 for many of their young players. Boston’s Allen alone had played in seven Game 7s, to only three for all of the 76ers.

It was a defensive battle the entire game. The 76ers shot 35%, the Celtics, 43%.

“Defensively, it was a beautiful game for us. We took away the paint, more than before,” Rivers said.

The Celtics jumped to a 6-0 lead, and it was 10-2 when Collins called a 76ers timeout. But they fought back and it was 20-20 after the first quarter.

Boston could never pull away from the 76ers in the first half. But then, neither team shot well the first 24 minutes: 39% for Philadelphia, including 1-for-6 from three-point range, 38% (0-for-8 on threes) for Boston.

A couple of Philly lapses down the stretch led to easy baskets and Boston led 41-33 at halftime. The Celtics had 16 points in the paint in all of the Game 6 loss; they had 18 at halftime, 28 for the game.

“It looked like the game was getting away from us, and every time you looked up, we were right there,” Collins said.

“We made some early turnovers that hurt us. … But you look up at the end of the (first) quarter, it was 20-20. … We did a good job weathering that. But we just never could get over the top. Then Rondo took over the game the last four or five minutes.”

The Celtics started 0-for-14 from three-point range, tying the NBA playoff record held by the 2008 Utah Jazz. That changed at 9:49 of the fourth quarter, when Allen came off a Garnett screen and hit a three-pointer for only his second made shot of the game and a 60-54 lead.

“Everybody in the league this time of year have different ailments. He’s a shooter, we encouraged him to shoot,” Garnett said of Allen battling a bad ankle. “When he finally got something down, we knew he was alright.”

Allen’s second three-pointer, with 5:46 left in the game, built Boston’s lead to 69-61. But shortly after that Pierce committed his fifth foul, on Philadelphia’s Iguodala, who hit his free throws to make it a 69-65 Philadelphia deficit.

Rivers, knowing he needed Pierce’s scoring, kept the veteran forward in the game — and Pierce promptly responded with a banked jump shot.

But trying to defend on a pick-and-roll with 4:16 left, Pierce got called for his sixth foul and was done for the game. Pierce had fouled out only once during the regular season.

That left the scoring to Rondo and Garnett.

“Rondo down the stretch was huge,” Rivers said.

“You know, Ray never could get it going, but he made a couple of big shots, obviously. We were kind of down to Rondo and Kevin, pick and roll. We had been running it before Paul went out, so we had a rhythm going.”

Contributing: Wire reports

Copyright © 2012 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc.