On a weeklong trip to Burlington & Winooski Vermont, we went to two standout restaurants in/near Burlington, VT that really stood out to me. Our House Bistro A small restaurant in Winooski made an impression. Nestled in the revitalized Winooski’s circle, this small restaurant fills up quickly. We were fortunate to be able to walk […]
2 standout Eateries in/near Burlington, VT Read More »
Our travels took us to Albuquerque, New Mexico, and tucked away on the University of New Mexico campus, we stumbled upon another spot claiming to be the Center of the Universe, but with a very different vibe. This “Center of the Universe” is a concrete structure with a central middle from which six concrete arms/tunnels
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The date had been circled on our calendar for what felt like an eternity: April 8, 2024. The Great American Eclipse. And our chosen vantage point? Dallas, Texas, sitting firmly within the path of totality. We’d envisioned a flawless celestial spectacle – the midday sun swallowed whole by the moon, plunging us into an eerie
Viewing the Great American Eclipse from Dallas: 4 minutes of Totality Miracle Read More »
We went to Dallas for the eclipse, but had an extra 2 days to fill. After a little research, I found the perfect day trip for us at about 90 minutes south west. Texas, known for its vast landscapes and rich history, holds a secret from millions of years ago: the tangible remnants of giants
Day Trip: Dinosaur Valley State Park Read More »
We originally planned a casual walk at Petroglyph National Monument, just looking to enjoy the New Mexico sunshine and stretch our legs. But as is often the case in our National Parks, the plan changed the moment we saw a sign for a ranger-led walk at the visitor center. Having enjoyed all the ranger-led walks
An Informative Ranger-Led Walk at Petroglyph National Monument Read More »
We finally made it to one of Manhattan’s most legendary dining rooms: the Russian Tea Room on 57th Street. Our yearly tradition of hitting a well-known NYC institution brought us here for a late dinner (sadly, no time for the famous High Tea!). The Vibe: Stepping inside is a truly transportive experience. The interior is everything you hear: ornate,
The Russian Tea Room: Iconic Landmark or Tourist Trap? Read More »
The whisper started months before: an annular solar eclipse was gracing North America in October 2023, and the path of annularity – that magical zone where the “ring of fire” would be visible – was calling. For us the allure of this celestial event was irresistible, especially being so close — and we didn’t voyage
Ring of Fire: Witnessing the Annular Solar Eclipse in New Mexico Read More »
Tulsa, Oklahoma, surprised us in many ways, and one of the most unexpected (and surprisingly delightful) discoveries was pickle pizza. Yes, you read that right. Pickles. On a pizza. Now, I’m a fan of a good briny bite, so when I spotted this intriguing concoction at ZaZa’s Pizzeria inside the bustling Mother Road Market, my
Dill-iciously Different Pizza Read More »
Tulsa, Oklahoma, might not be the first place that springs to mind when you think of cosmic significance, but tucked away in its downtown area lies a quirky and intriguing spot known as the “Center of the Universe.” During our recent days exploring Tulsa, we sought out this unassuming landmark, and it quickly became a
The Center of the Universe (is in Tulsa) Read More »
The allure of striking it rich, of unearthing a sparkling treasure from the earth, is a deeply human one. That’s what drew us to Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas, the only diamond-bearing site in the world open to the public where you can dig for your own gems! Armed with rented shovels, screens,
A Day at Crater of Diamonds State Park Read More »
Nestled in eastern Oklahoma, the Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center offers a fascinating glimpse into a prehistoric American Indian culture that thrived in this region centuries ago. Our recent visit was a journey back in time, a chance to explore the remnants of a significant Mississippian Period site and learn about the Spiro people who built
A Walk Around the Spiro Mounds Read More »
From where were were staying in Florida, Kennedy Space Center was about 1 hr 45 minutes away. Since Justin and I both enjoy history and exhibits and learning, we thought a day trip there would be a fun day. This long day was packed with history, inspiration, and a tangible sense of being right at
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The air hung heavy with moisture, a persistent rain draping the rolling hills of Gettysburg in a veil of quiet contemplation. While perhaps not the ideal conditions for strolling sun-drenched fields, the somber atmosphere seemed to amplify the weight of history that permeates this hallowed ground. For Justin, a true history enthusiast, our self-driving tour
Day Trip Through Gettysburg: A Self-Guided Driving Tour Read More »
Kauai, the “Garden Isle” of Hawaii, is renowned for its lush landscapes, dramatic cliffs, and cascading waterfalls. But beyond the well-trodden paths, a unique and incredibly fun adventure awaits: floating down the historic irrigation ditches of a former sugar plantation with Kauai Backcountry Adventures. On a sunny Hawaiian day, we traded hiking boots for inner
Our Kauai Backcountry Tubing Adventure Read More »
When we were planning this leg of our southwest road trip, one specific landscape kept calling our names: slot canyons. We wanted that classic Utah experience of wandering through deep, twisting, ribbon-like sandstone walls. As it turns out, Kanab is the ultimate basecamp for slot canyons. Positioned perfectly in southern Utah, it sits within striking
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A short but packed stop in Northern Arizona and Southern Utah—where 900-year-old cliff dwellings, a legendary Route 66 town, one unforgettable song, and some of the Southwest’s most surreal geology made our road trip come alive. Flagstaff was a fantastic home base for us—really just two full days of exploring, sandwiched by two travel days
Flagstaff & Beyond: Ancient Ruins, Route 66, and Desert Wonders Read More »
Could Bisbee, Arizona be the ultimate basecamp for exploring southeastern Arizona? In the spring of 2021, we packed up for four weeks on the road — Bisbee, then Flagstaff, then Kanab — to find out. Plus Justin had been hearing buzz about Bisbee as an underrated, affordable place to live, and with remote work making
12 Days in Bisbee, Arizona: Quirky Charm & Epic Day Trips Read More »
The Utah desert stretched before us in waves of crimson and gold as we climbed into our rented side-by-side UTV from the Kanab Tour Company. Our destination: Peekaboo Slot Canyon, a hidden gem tucked into the BLM land north of town. What we didn’t fully anticipate was the journey it would take to get there.
Peekaboo Slot Canyon: Our Thrilling UTV Adventure Into the Red Desert Read More »
On a Friday afternoon in early April at 4 PM we left to visit 3 sites around Kanab, two we read about from other people’s blogs and one we found from a flyer made by the Kanab tourist center. Working our way north, our fist stop was Dinosaur Track trail, accessible by the small parking
Dinosaur Tracks, Moqui Caverns & Belly of the Dragon Hikes Read More »
About 90 minutes northeast of Bisbee, Arizona, lies a hidden wonderland that completely took my breath away: Chiricahua National Monument. To be honest, I didn’t do much research before arriving, so I had no idea what to expect. As someone who deeply loves exploring National Parks and Monuments, I knew I’d enjoy it regardless of
A Visit to Chiricahua National Monument: Hiking the Big Loop Read More »