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
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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
Day Trip: Kennedy Space Center Read More »
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 »
Thinking about packing up your life and hitting the open road for a month? In the spring of 2021, with remote work giving us the freedom to redefine “home,” we did exactly that. We loaded up the car for a 30-day, multi-state Southwest road trip through Arizona, Utah, and Colorado. Our mission was simple: test-drive
A 30-Day Southwest Road Trip Itinerary: Bisbee, Flagstaff, & Kanab Read More »
It was exactly this weekend last year that I finally crossed a major item off my Colorado bucket list: seeing the Crystal Mill. Perched precariously over the roaring Crystal River, it is easily one of the most photographed abandoned buildings in the entire state. When I first moved to Colorado, I actually attempted to make
Crystal Mill Colorado Jeep Tour: A Stunning Summer Day Trip Read More »
Itching to get out of the house, but hesitant to go someplace that had a lot of people, we decided to drive about 2 hours to Pawnee National Grassland (north of Ft. Morgan, East of Ft. Collins) and walk trail 601 to the Pawnee Buttes. Driving through the grasslands was not as exciting as I
A Walk to the Pawnee Buttes Read More »
I haven’t been to the World Trade Center area since September 11, 2002. The first decade I thought it would be too hard to go there, and the years since, I never made it a priority wondering how it would feel. I was in building 6 or 8 of the World Trade Center that day
An evening at One World Observatory & dinner Read More »
We started the Freedom Trail at the Boston Commons, the oldest public park in the country. From the visitor center, you can easily find the red line trail, sometimes the trail is red paint, other times it is brick. Helpful Hints: We underestimated how long it would take us to do this trail, thinking it
Walking the Freedom Trail Read More »
About 90 minutes southeast of Denver lies the remarkable Paint Mines Interpretive Park. This hidden gem in Colorado isn’t just a unique landscape; it holds tangible evidence of human activity dating back more than 9,000 years, making it an incredibly special place to stop and learn. What makes this park truly extraordinary is the sheer
A day trip to the Paint Mines Interpretive Park Read More »
From the moment you arrive, New Orleans wraps itself around you — the smell of something frying nearby, the faint sound of a trumpet from a few blocks away, the iron-lace balconies casting shadows on streets that feel like they belong to another century. We spent a long weekend in New Orleans in December 2019,