Planning summer travel this year was like shoving a square peg in a round hole. Last year, it felt like I didn’t have any options. This year, it felt like there were a hundred options, with each one needing some serious examination to determine if it was safe, responsible, open, affordable, and interesting. What a […]
Some of you have read this blog long enough to remember how much I disliked Richmond when I first moved there in 2010. It took awhile for the city to blossom, but today there are a ton of things to do in Richmond VA — not to mention it has a brilliant personality and vibrant
Best Things to do in Richmond VA: An Insider’s Guide Read More »
This post was originally written in 2016 but updated again in 2018 and most recently in 2021 to reflect new openings and other changes in Richmond, Virginia. It took me six years to buy a house and admit that the city is “home” but now that I have, it’s time I share my thoughts on
The Ultimate Weekend in Richmond (a Local’s Itinerary) Read More »
This post was originally written in 2013 but was updated several times over the years (most recently in June 2021). When I first moved to Richmond, I thought the best part about the city was its central location. Near mountains, the beach, and the nation’s capital, it’s ironic that my answer was based on proximity to
One thing I figured out quickly for my Arkansas vacation was just how few hotels there are. In this part of the world, the extra space and privacy of a Buffalo River cabin isn’t just a luxury, it’s basically a necessity. That wasn’t a bad thing…I mean, who would complain about gorgeous outdoor decks, expansive
8 Awesome Buffalo River Cabins Perfect for Your Trip Read More »
The Boxley Valley elk herds are one of the country’s great wildlife reintroduction stories. As other animal populations have struggled, elk have flourished in this area — giving visitors an awesome chance to see elk in Arkansas. I’ve done enough wildlife travel to know that nothing is guaranteed so I was hopeful (but not optimistic)
In a little town called Ponca, there’s a mighty big river. For 153 miles, the Buffalo River flows past bluffs and woods and waterfalls, creating a scenic journey throughout a large stretch of Northwest Arkansas. Seeing it all requires days of dedication, either hiking or paddling (and several nights camping). While that was more than
Floating the Buffalo River from Ponca to Kyle’s Landing Read More »
In the northwest corner of Arkansas, there’s a national park site everyone overlooks. The Buffalo National River — America’s first national river, to be precise — is 36,000 acres of natural playground hidden in plain sight. How the National Park Service manages to hide something that large is beyond me but I’ll bet most of
Don’t Underestimate the Buffalo River in Arkansas Read More »
I’ve never been much of a collector. In fact, I identify more with the opposite: I was decluttering before anyone knew who Marie Kondo was. Nope, I’ve never really cared about collecting coins or stamps or baseball cards. But one day in 2018 I realized that — coincidentally — I had already visited 44 U.S.
Although I’ve practiced yoga while traveling for about seven years now, this has been the first year I’ve gone out of my way to travel with a yoga mat. Over time, I’ve gotten frustrated with the sanitation of rental mats at local studios (or more questionably, the hotel gym) and I’ve gone from doing yoga
