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bend oregon

Bend Oregon Events and Activities

The city of Bend, in central Oregon, often called “the outdoor playground of the west,” is renowned for its summer pursuits like camping, hiking the mountains and buttes, kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding on the lakes, and the myriad dog parks.  But Bend also offers a full palette of adventures and pastimes for winter fun. […]

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Oahu Getaway: Three Girls, Three Days

The best view of Oahu came right at the moment I leaned forward and tumbled out of the plane. Finished with an Aikido conference in which Marie and Rebecca participated (I was there to photograph the event) we had decided a short girls’ getaway as in order. After all, the conference was in Waikiki, so […]

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Black Hills Tourist Attractions: Blown Away by the Badlands.

With just 48 hours to spend in Rapid City, I had already scheduled a visit to Mt. Rushmore, a drive on the Needles Highway, a Buffalo Jeep Safari at Custer State Park, and a pit stop to eat the famous Wall Drug donuts. From my hotel the first night, I spontaneously Googled “things to do” […]

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Showboat Branson Belle: Don’t Miss the Boat

I laughed. I cried. I ate too much. If you’re looking for an authentically fun way to spend a few hours in the sometimes overly touristy Branson, Missouri, the Showboat Branson Belle is the place. As a travel writer who visits a lot of vacation destinations, I tend to shy away from the ones that […]

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ice cream in venice beach

Venice Beach Ice Cream | CNN iReport

I was recently on assignment, recording a video in Venice Beach, California for the American Writers and Artists, Inc. The recording was about the perks I receive as a travel writer just by wearing my press badge, specifically Venice Beach ice cream. Read more about my Venice Beach ice cream extravaganza at CNN iReport, October 6, […]

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holy cannoli

Best Boston Cannoli: Mike’s or Modern? | Luggage and Lipstick

It never gets old.  Strolling through the narrow streets of Boston’s North End, known affectionately as “Little Italy,” is always a multi-sensory stimulating event.  From the sumptuous smells of homemade pasta dishes wafting from the small restaurants, the vibrant New England-accented banter of the pedestrians, to the colorful and festive façades of the shops and […]

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Tequila Tasting in Santa Fe. Watch Out for the Floor!

One Tequila, Two Tequila, Three Tequila, FLOOR Move over foodie walking tours, Santa Fe’s tequila tasting is stepping in front. Top Shelf: Tequila Class & Sampling in historic downtown Santa Fe is no pub crawl. It provides thought-provoking history, tequila/food pairing, and the progression from illegal mezcal to high-quality and high-priced sipping tequila. “This is […]

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chicago city beach

Summer in Chicago: Top Things to Do in Chicago

Looking for a beach destination but can’t afford a jaunt to the Caribbean or one of the best beaches in the US?  No problem. . . pack up the kids and head for…. summer in Chicago! Ohio Street Beach on the shore of Lake Michigan is sure to please everyone in the family. Less crowded […]

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Carolina Renaissance Festival

Jousting knights, kings, queens, wenches, fairies, and even pirates, the Carolina Renaissance Festival is considered one of the best in America.  The fair comes alive every weekend in October and November on a permanent 25-acre 16th-century theme park that Disney would be proud of. Non-stop, day-long amusements delight children and adults alike. Activities and entertainments […]

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midwest saloon girl

Random TSA Searches: Some Days Are Like That, Even In the Midwest

TSA rules! Tell me…. do I look dangerous to you?  Apparently, the TSA still thinks so. Rapid City Regional Airport.  Just another nondescript launching pad in the life of a travel writer.  Or so I thought. But it turned out to be a no-good, very bad, terrible day. As I’m going through security in the […]

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