The Explore All 50 States Project
Let's Go!
Barrow is the northernmost city in the United States located at the very top on the Alaska coast on the Arctic Ocean. It's a place most folks will never visit but coming here was very important to me. To me visiting a remote place like Barrow is what it truly means to savor life-to take advantage of a once in a lifetime opportunity to discover a place so unique, and a lifestyle so different from our own. There … [Read more...]
I have been really surprised at the flack I’ve been getting for one of my recent blogposts citing the embassy closing as just another reason to travel in the USA. Seth Kugel aka “The Frugal Traveler” of The NY Times in an email accused me of “fear mongering verging on xenophobia” (I am a pretty smart cookie but even I had to look that one up-an irrational fear of something foreign or strange). Another … [Read more...]
Sometimes you're starving and you pick out a place and hope for the best. Every once it a while (you breathe a sigh of relief as) you are happily blown away when it exceeds your expectations and everyone leaves happy and satisfied. Looking for a place to eat along the Sterling Highway, the kids and I stumbled across Gwin's lodge and decided to give it a try and man are we glad we did. Looking at the menu we … [Read more...]
Fly fishing for salmon on the Kenai river was one of the highlights of our entire trip. The only way I can describe being out on the river, at one with nature, is complete nirvana! It was not only a fun experience, but I felt as if my spiritual batteries had been recharged. It was an extremely special activity that my kids and I will never forget and one that I can't recommend highly enough if you get the chance to … [Read more...]
Have you seen the latest headlines? Embassy closures, heightened security, travel advisories. Like me, I am sure Yemen, Lebanon, and Bahrain are not high on your list of travel destinations, but as a traveler I just don’t feel comfortable leaving my American home turf. I know that sounds a little paranoid but think about it. Travel to Mexico and you run the risk of being kidnapped and held for ransom by a drug … [Read more...]
After an afternoon fly fishing on the Kenai river we asked our guide TJ where was the best place to eat in town. He rattled off a few names that he said were really good, but when he mentioned the Kingfisher Roadhouse his eyes lit up and waxed poetic about a burger that sounded off the charts fantastic. Well, as soon and we loaded up, we made a bee line straightaway. At night this place apparently gets absolutely … [Read more...]
When I think of Kentucky I think of horses, banjo music and bourbon and we found all those things and more on our visit to "the Bluegrass state". As we crossed the border from Indiana, Kentucky seemed just like I envisioned it, lush and green with acres of rolling pastureland spread majestically as far as the eye could see and those signature white horse fences. There is no doubt about it, Kentucky is horse … [Read more...]
Sadly, the Kentucky History Center was certainly not one of the better history museums we’ve seen. It appeared that the folks who put the museum together did try to create an engaging experience but t seemed as if this museum was wrestling with its past, not knowing exactly how to show things like slavery and the Civil War. The exhibits seemed almost cartoonish, just scratching the surface over the most painful … [Read more...]
The grounds of The Kentucky State Capitol Building are just lovely, and when we were there they were covered with acorns. As we walked up, we could tell there was something going on, and as we got closer we discovered it was a celebration of the anniversary of women getting the right to vote. There were lots of ladies dressed in white with purple sashes surrounding a podium festooned with balloons next to banners of … [Read more...]
Until I'd been to the Rebecca Ruth Candy Factory, I don't think I've ever tasted anything quite as addictive as one of their Kentucky Colonels, also known as a Bourbon Ball. We took the opportunity to tour the little factory that turns out these magical confections that marry Kentucky bourbon and chocolate into an absolute taste sensation. The factory will remind you of that candy-wrapping scene in "I Love … [Read more...]
