Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri’s Must-Do Road Trip
From cliff-hanging castles to subterranean sculptures to water recreation, Missouri’s top lake destination has a timeless allure that defies the ages. On a map, the Lake of the Ozarks unfolds like a slender, azure-hued Chinese dragon with an undulating central body and four graceful arms propelling it across the heart of central Missouri. The construction […]
The Beautiful Cocora Valley of Colombia
Colombia’s endangered Quindío wax palms provide the backdrop for an enchanting visit to the real-life setting of Disney’s animated film Encanto. Let’s talk about Colombia’s Cocora Valley. The bona fide setting of Disney’s Encanto beguiles those who wander among its sky-high and century’s old palm trees, but it will take more than a miracle to […]
Night at the Museum: Cleveland’s ‘A Christmas Story’ House
Want to spend Christmas reliving the classic holiday film ‘A Christmas Story?’ You could catch the 24-marathon of the movie on TBS or TNT on Christmas Eve. Better yet, pack your bags (and your pink bunny pajamas), head to Cleveland, Ohio, and stay overnight in the house featured in the iconic film. Here’s a peek […]
The Return to America: Custer State Park’s scenic drives, rock stars and the beasts of the Black Hills
When Covid-19 decided to take a round-the-world journey of a lifetime, it left the rest of us grounded indefinitely. Even with fewer hurdles to barrier-free movement within the country and abroad as we move into summer 2021, the American road trip will be the go-to adventure that gets most of us going again. Road warrior Laura Watilo Blake […]
Trimming the Tree with Travel Treasures
I’ve been collecting Christmas ornaments from around the world for some time now. They make great personal souvenirs because they serve a higher purpose than merely contributing to clutter that amasses in my home. Once the holiday season is upon us, I pull several dusty plastic storage bins out of the crawl space and begin […]
Colorful Costa Rica
[dropcap]S[/dropcap]ustainable tourism takes flight in the tiny coastal village of Punta Islita. “Have you heard the macaws yet?” asks a man standing in the open-air lobby of the Hotel Punta Islita while I am checking into the luxury eco-resort that perches on a hillside overlooking a crescent-shaped beach on the Pacific Ocean. […]