HOTELS Why Travelers Love a Historic Stay at Hotel St. Louis Posted on December 2, 2023November 15, 2025 After nearly three years in South Korea, we’re back in the US! Our first stop was picking up our shipped car. We rented a car at O’Hare International Airport and embarked on the 4-hour drive to the distribution center and one of our favorite hotels– the Hotel Saint Louis in downtown St. Louis. As a boutique-style hotel in the Marriott Autograph Collection, it marries beauty and style with the perks Marriott Hotels are renowned for. For us, it’s the perfect blend of luxury, amenities, and convenience. We also love that it is located in a historic building built over a century ago, in 1893. Read more
DESTINATIONS & CITY GUIDES Scenic Route Bakery: The Ultimate Brunch Cafe in Des Moines Posted on November 25, 2023May 9, 2026 Discovering Des Moines: A Road Trip Adventure We made an unexpected yet delightful pitstop in Des Moines during our road trip from Kansas to Illinois. Moreover, it’s a city we had never explored before. However, little did we know that this charming city would hold a culinary gem that would… Read more
DESTINATIONS & CITY GUIDES Winter Swan Cafe: Your New Coffee Hotspot in Rochester Posted on November 19, 2023November 15, 2025 The first cafe I enjoyed visiting in Rochester was located within a stunning historic building in the heart of East Rochester. This is where I stumbled upon the Winter Swan Cafe, a delightful coffee shop that seamlessly blends the vibrant flavors of Vietnam and Thailand. Tucked within the recently expanded… Read more
DESTINATIONS & CITY GUIDES Charlotte Beach and Pier: How to Make the Most of a Fall Visit Posted on November 4, 2023November 15, 2025 Straddling the tranquil shores of Lake Ontario in Rochester, New York, you’ll find one of my favorite things to do when I come home to Rochester. This 39-acre park contains one of the Great Lakes’ best natural sand beaches. Read more
DESTINATIONS & CITY GUIDES Ironclad Coffee and Roastery: 100 Year-old Fire Station in Richmond is Really Popular Posted on October 21, 2023November 15, 2025 Ironclad Coffee is a cafe in a renovated 19th-century firehouse in Richmond’s Shockoe Bottom neighborhood, Virginia. I’ve always liked Richmond, and as we contemplate ending our military service, it’s also a potential spot for us to settle down. This leg of the road trip, Charlotte to Baltimore, gives us the… Read more
DESTINATIONS & CITY GUIDES From Scratch with Love: Inside SweetArt Cafe’s Afrocentric Kitchen Posted on October 7, 2023November 15, 2025 Discover SweetArt Cafe in St. Louis – A Vegan Oasis for Food Lovers! Indulge in delectable vegan treats and more at this from-scratch bakery/cafe. Join us in the Shaw neighborhood near the Missouri Botanical Garden and Tower Grove Park. Owned by Reine Reis, SweetArt has been serving the community for 15 years. Read more
DESTINATIONS & CITY GUIDES Family-Friendly Outdoor Activities in Topeka You’ll Love Posted on September 24, 2020April 13, 2026 Topeka is a great city to visit if you are stationed at Fort Riley. It’s only an hour away, and the drive takes you through some of the prettiest rolling hills and grasslands in northeast Kansas. Topeka has played a significant part in American history as well. And if that’s… Read more
WELLNESS ON THE ROAD How I Discovered the Best Workout Spots in Manhattan Kansas Posted on August 31, 2020November 15, 2025 After two years in Manhattan, Kansas, I’ve discovered five places that make staying active both fun and fulfilling. From scenic walking trails and local parks to family-owned gyms, cozy wellness spas, and the vibrant streets of Aggieville, these spots have helped me build routine, wellness, and connection in everyday life. Read more