State parks, you say? Something for everyone? Really? Not national parks? Sure, America has a dazzling variety of national park sites–423 of them-and that will be a great blog post for another day. But for now, let’s consider those...
Craving Europe? Try These US Destinations!
Are you craving Europe and all its magic? Me, too. But sometimes we can’t get there, whether a pandemic has us confined to our own borders, or the timing simply isn’t right. (Then there’s that dang budget.) Try these...
What to Do While We Wait to Travel: 21 Awesome Ideas
It’s been a year since Covid-19 went from a scary-but-remote sickness to a full-blown shutdown around the world. Even then, I was deliberately stubborn/naive about the possible effect on travel. Now, we still wonder what to do while we...
My First Post-Pandemic Getaway: Starved Rock State Park, Oglesby, IL
I couldn’t wait for my first post-pandemic getaway. Like most homebound travelers, I’d done my part to flatten the Covid Curve just by staying put. I even made the best of it, embracing my inner Janus, the Roman god...
5 Teas to Bring on Your Next Trip
Updated August 10, 2020. “A cup of tea would restore my normality,” wrote Douglas Adams in A HItchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. You don’t have to be British to enjoy a “cuppa,” although Turkey actually tops the list of...
How to Travel with Chronic Illness, Part 2: Preparation & Packing
“How to travel with chronic illness” sounds like there are two of you on the journey…and in a way, that’s true. Going anywhere with a medical condition means you’re bringing something along. Guess what? Everyone brings something. Budget constraints,...
Travel Insurance for Solos: Silent Companion for Your Journey
It’s no secret that I believe travel insurance is essential. It protects your investment before you ever leave home. It also covers those unanticipated medical mishaps (or worse) during your trip. And for the solo traveler? It’s not even...
Photo Tips for Your Device: Make Travel Shots Easy!
These easy photo tips for your device will improve every picture you take. Your travel photography skills are about to skyrocket. I promise! If you’re like many travelers, you don’t want to lug around a camera anymore…or at least,...
San Juan, Puerto Rico: Stay at the Birthplace of the Piña Colada
Caribe Hilton: Historical…and Home of the Piña Colada UPDATE: 3/26/19 Following the disaster of Hurricane Maria, one of my favorite hotels has been closed for 18 months. Great news! Starting May 15, 2019, Caribe Hilton is open again! It...
How to Be Airport-Savvy in 2021
Updated May 13, 2021: The content of this blog post still applies to learning how to be airport-savvy. What’s changed? COVID…and the restrictions that are going to remain in place for awhile. Just as airport security changed after 9/11–remember...