Cherry blossoms are just one of the many ways Mother Nature says that winter is over and spring has sprung. The Japanese believe that cherry blossoms are representations of hope and the beautiful promise of renewed life that each spring brings. The delicate flowers also serve as a reminder that life is precious and fragile,…
Hawaii: 3 Polarizing Opposites Of The Big Island
Hawaii, the 50th state of the Union and once known as the Sandwich Islands, is an archipelago comprised of eight major islands, each island has a distinct vibe. The Big Island of Hawaii is unique because Mauna Kea (more about Mauna Kea below) divides the island into three distinctly different environments – the Kona side,…
9 Magical Christmas Markets : From Christkindlmarkts to Laser Shows
Christmas markets are festive traditions that span centuries and were precursors for today’s festivals and laser light shows. The first mentioned Christmas market, also known as Christkindlmarkt, was Striezelmarkt in the German Saxony city, Dresden, in 1434. Christkind is literally translated as Christchild and is generally depicted in angel form with locks of curly blond…
Halloween: 8 Frightening Spooky Texas Destinations
Days are getting cooler, nights are getting longer and it is time to start celebrating all things fall. In Texas, one of the biggest fall celebrations is that of Halloween. There are a wide variety of ways to celebrate Halloween around the state from ghostly adventures to Dia de Los Muertos to staying in haunted…
Denton’s Artisan Cheese Shop – Ten:One
Denton, Texas – Ten:One Artisan cheese What do Cheese and beer have in common? For starters, Justin Bonard – owner, Cicerone, and chief cheesemonger of Denton’s only artisan cheese shop, Ten:One. Justin, a 16-year resident of Denton, started developing a love for fine artisanal cheese during his training as a cicerone. A cicerone is a…
5 Best Tips For Diamond Hunting in Arkansas – Crater of Diamonds State Park
Diamond hunting, the search for a girl’s best friend. Do you have a yearning to go diamond hunting? Then perhaps you should consider a visit to the only mine in the world where you can hunt for your own diamonds. My husband and I are rock hounds. So, when we learned about the Crater of…
Reata – Perfecting Comfort Food In Fort Worth
Reata Restaurant With a Texas-sized tip of the hat to great food and service, Reata in Sundance Square of Fort Worth embodies the quintessential atmosphere and spirit to the good ‘ole days of the West.
Jefferson, Texas: Why You Need This Blissful Weekend Escape
A short 3-hour drive from Dallas, off of highway 59 in East Texas, is Jefferson. Once a bustling riverboat port hosting steamboats laden down with supplies and adventurous people traveling to the wilds of Texas – Jefferson is now a mecca for staycationers needing a weekend getaway. At first glance, this little country town may…
Arizona: 7 Places That Should Be On Your Travel Radar
Arizona Adventures Begging To Be Discovered It is no secret that Arizona is a mecca for people seeking warmer and drier climates. Balmy year-round temperatures and wide-open urban plains are the perfect settings for spectacular sunsets, exploring multicultural foodie scenes, and traversing paths yet to be discovered. Arizona is a place where each…
Conwy Wales: A Medieval Town To Explore
Conwy, Wales Located at the top of Wales on the edge of St. George’s Channel is Conwy, a walled market and fishing town with roots dating to the Roman Empire. Formidable stone walls with passageways and lookout towers encircle the medieval city on three land sides allowing an unobstructed view of the channel branching off…
Virtual Tours and Travel in a Time of Quarantine
I do believe that the beginning of this post will need a bit of explanation. You see, as social distancing continues to unfold I find myself yearning for something different that did not happen yesterday, the day before, and last week. When that happens, it is usually expressed in my writing, as is the case…
5 Hidden Prohibition Speakeasy Bars in Texas
The Speakeasy was born during the tumultuous Twenties at a time when the country was healing from World War I and Americans were discovering a new love for jazz, dance, and cocktails – coincidently, at the same time that the newly ratified 18th Amendment went into effect. The 18th Amendment spawned the National Prohibition Act…
Christmas Masterpiece: Transform Your Entryway In A Weekend
Christmas Entryway Decorating Ideas Do you have what could be an amazing entry to your house and have been wondering what you could do with it? Check this idea out! This Christmas decorating idea will work for any entry large or small that has an overhang of some kind to hang the wireframe from….
Jefferson Texas: Meet the Mysterious Town
Jefferson Texas is a town steeped in history and mystery. This small town just a 3-hour drive from Dallas near the Louisiana border was once a shipping mecca of the South. Steamships delivered goods and people along the Red River to Jefferson which was then transported by wagon to the newly founded towns of Dallas…
Billings, Montana: 10 places to eat and drink you will love
Billings is Montana’s largest city, It is nicknamed the “Magic City”. It is truly a magical place for the outdoor enthusiast. It is also has a magical foodie scene that is sure to appease any discerning taste buds. There are unquestionably many dining establishments to choose from – during my brief stay, I only had…
Christmas Traditions: 21 Incredible Ideas For The Holiday
Christmas is a season of happiness and joy, steeped in traditions. Every family has their own set of traditions that they celebrate every year. Here is a list of traditions that your family may already participate in or some new activities that you want to start participating in.
Travel Insurance: 6 Reasons Trip Protection Is Good Planning
Travel insurance. You have saved and planned for this vacation. Nothing is going to happen. Right? Seriously, what are the odds of something going wrong with your carefully planned trip? Usually, those odds are low. I am sure that the travelers who booked (some of them a year ago) through the recently defunct Thomas Cook…
Finger Lakes, New York: Do These 7 Things Other Than Drink Wine
Finger Lakes region of New York state is known for producing wine – really good wine. But what if you are not a wine drinker? Then what? Thankfully for non-wine drinkers, it is also known for towering rugged cliffs, sun-drenched rolling hills, and lush green valleys. Here is just a taste of what to do…
Alaska Facts and History: Exploring 7 destinations
Alaska, the 49th State of the Union, Land of the Midnight Sun and the Last Frontier is calling adventurous souls like a siren, beckoning them to discover it’s beauty – from the rugged snow-capped mountain peaks to the miles of ocean shoreline to the small towns and villages that far outnumber populated metropolises.
Biosphere 2: Would you isolate yourself for Space Age Research?
Biosphere 2, a scientific research center that at first glance, makes you feel like you are on the set of the 1968 film Space Odessy. Located in Oracle, Arizona – this small off-the-beaten-path town is aptly named for the 40-acre research campus. Oracles are said to be a deity that reveals hidden knowledge, usually through…