Category: US Travel
-
How Educational Travel Builds Confidence Through Connection
Saying yes to the trips that scare you a little can reshape your entire life, and that idea sits at the heart of this conversation with Jewel Rozanski, founder of Cultured Travel. After 14 years as a public high school Spanish teacher and training in educational psychology, she turns educational travel into a practical path…
-
Summer Travel Without the Crowds
Planning a summer family vacation can feel like signing up for heat, crowds, and sticker shock. When school lets out, millions of families hit the road at the same time, pushing the same theme parks, beaches, and national parks to their limits. That demand drives up hotel rates, fills restaurants, and turns travel days into…
-
Is The Summer Getaway Disappearing?
Memorial Day weekend at Virginia Beach is usually a loud, crowded signal that summer travel season has arrived, but this year it felt strangely quiet. An empty boardwalk and half-closed shops are more than a weather story; they are a snapshot of shifting American travel behavior. When a classic drive-to destination looks subdued, it raises…
-
A Tale of Two Birthdays
By Jim Santos July 4th, 1976. I was eighteen years old. That number felt significant in ways that aren’t easy to explain to someone who wasn’t there. In addition to being able to buy beer (legally), eighteen meant I could vote for the first time — and there was an election coming in November. It…
-
Beat the Summer Rush
Affordable Family Vacations When You Have No Choice But to Go in Peak Season My wife Rita and I have a secret weapon that most families with school-age kids simply don’t have: flexibility. As retired travelers, we’ve learned to love the shoulder seasons — that golden window in April, May, September, and October when prices drop,…
-
America’s Great Pit Stops: A History of Roadside Stops Along the Interstate
From Burma-Shave Signs to Beaver Nuggets — How America Learned to Pull Over There’s a peculiar magic that happens somewhere around mile marker 150 on a long highway drive. The coffee has worn off, the kids are restless, and suddenly — a billboard. Then another. Then five more. “You Are Getting Sleepy… Only Pedro’s Can Wake…
-
The Quiet Shore: Why Virginia Beach Feels Eerily Empty This Memorial Day Season
A personal reflection on America’s changing relationship with travel, leisure, and the open road The waves are still rolling in, the boardwalk is still there, porpoises play in the surf, and the seagulls haven’t gotten the memo. But something is different at Virginia Beach this Memorial Day season — and if you’ve been coming here…
-
Ditching the 9-to-5 for Wide Open Roads: Is Full-Time RV Living for You?
Ever dreamed of saying “see ya!” to the daily grind and hitting the open road? The idea of living full-time in an RV or camper has definitely captured the hearts of many, promising a life filled with freedom, adventure, and a whole lot less stuff. But is it all sunshine and scenic overlooks? Let’s dive…
-
Breaking Through Barriers: How Lori Bruton Found Hope Through Travel and Writing
In our latest podcast episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with Lori Bruton, a multifaceted individual whose journey as an author, travel writer, speaker, and breakthrough coach offers valuable insights for aspiring travelers and writers alike. Lori’s story is one of transformation and resilience, demonstrating how she overcame personal obstacles to build a life…
-
Comparing Two “Immersive” Art Shows
In April of 2022, to celebrate our 9th wedding anniversary, my wife and I decided to go to and see the show “Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience”, playing in the Graceland Exhibition Center. We had been meaning to catch the show for a while, and since we had never been to Memphis and it…