CULTURE, EVENTS & EXPERIENCES Driving to Èze: Unexpected Beauty, Panic, and an Unexpected Lesson Posted on July 17, 2025May 2, 2026 A stalled car. A stranger’s help. A mad uphill dash with my kids in the backseat. That’s how my day in Èze began. What followed was a quiet walk through flower-filled alleys, castle ruins, and a handmade perfume that now holds the memory of one beautiful, chaotic, unforgettable day. Read more
SLOW TRAVEL & LIVING ABROAD How to Avoid Being Turned Away at the U.S. Border Posted on July 14, 2025December 20, 2025 I’ve crossed more borders than I can count. But something has shifted. Under the Trump administration, even the most routine arrivals into the United States feel tense. I’ve read stories about tourists being turned away for vague reasons—missing hotel bookings, saying the wrong thing, having the wrong stamps in their… Read more
WELLNESS ON THE ROAD Dear Spammers, My Blog Isn’t Free Marketing for You Posted on July 10, 2025November 15, 2025 I receive guest post requests almost daily, but most feel like cold, careless spam. I’ve lost count of how many emails I’ve received that start with flattery and end with a request to use my blog to sell someone else’s product. They don’t care who I am. They haven’t read… Read more
DESTINATIONS & CITY GUIDES More Than Pretty Pictures: The Truth About My Jeju Photography Tour Posted on July 7, 2025November 15, 2025 A girls’ photo trip to Jeju Island sounded like a dream. But language barriers, missed expectations, and cultural differences turned it into something more complicated. Still, between the forests, fish dishes, and quiet sunrises, I found growth, grace, and a few surprising lessons behind the lens. Read more
WELLNESS ON THE ROAD The Truth About Instagram vs. Real Travel Experiences Posted on July 6, 2025November 15, 2025 Social media inspires travel—but also distorts it. This post explores the power-of-influencers and how curated content shapes where we go, what we expect, and how much we spend. From crowds to debt and cultural strain, we need a more honest conversation about the real impact of picture-perfect travel online. Read more
DESTINATIONS & CITY GUIDES How to Spend a Awesome Weekend in Cedar Rapids, Iowa Posted on July 3, 2025February 16, 2026 Looking for an easy weekend escape from the Quad Cities? Cedar Rapids offers art, history, markets, and museums—all within 90 minutes. Whether you’re strolling through Brucemore or sampling food at NewBo City Market, this Iowa city packs just enough charm and culture to make the drive worth it. Read more
DESTINATIONS & CITY GUIDES Starved Rock Reveals Its Story One Step at a Time Posted on June 29, 2025December 21, 2025 I’ve hiked a lot of trails, but there’s something about Starved Rock State Park that keeps pulling me back. Just under an hour from my front door, it feels like another world since Rock Island is so flat. The 2,630-acre park in LaSalle County, Illinois, is located along the Illinois… Read more
CULTURE, EVENTS & EXPERIENCES Perception vs. Perspective: Travel Stories That Changed How I See the World Posted on June 26, 2025November 15, 2025 A stare too long. A whispered word. A moment I almost walked away. But what happened next shifted everything I thought I knew about traveling as a Black woman. This isn’t just a story—it’s a reminder of what happens when we pause, stay, and see the world with new eyes. Read more