Hey! How’s it going and stuff? It’s been half a year since I last posted on TravelSmart Woman. Now I’m back to the blog, even though the world continues to discourage those of us who used to take our...
COVID, Cancellations, “Cave” Syndrome…and Return to Travel

COVID, cancellations, “Cave” Syndrome…and return to travel? When? How? I love to travel. Live for it, in fact. That’s what I always said–and did. One trip would barely end before I was planning the next…and the one after that....
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...
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...
Travel Lessons from the Lockdown

How can there possibly be any worthwhile travel lessons from the godawful Covid-19 pandemic? Maybe lessons on overcoming boredom, rationing toilet paper, or finding a suitable mask. But travel? Really?? Yes, I tell you. Really. The time we now...
Staycations: How to Make Yours Fun & Memorable

Updated July 12, 2020. Staycations! Fun, right?!? Please don’t groan and roll your eyes. Suddenly, staycations have been more or less mandated. And if the public health experts are correct, we may be doing “local travel only” for the...