DESTINATIONS & CITY GUIDES Road Trip to Kalona, Iowa: Amish Country Travel Guide and Things to Do Posted on April 26, 2026August 6, 2026 Take a short drive to Kalona, Iowa and step into a slower way of life. Walk through history, shop local goods, and taste simple food made nearby. This guide shares what to see, where to stop, and how to plan a day trip or overnight stay back in time. Read more
DESTINATIONS & CITY GUIDES A Leisurely Walking Tour of Muscatine, Iowa Posted on April 6, 2026August 6, 2026 Muscatine caught me off guard in a way I did not expect. I showed up thinking it would be a quick stop, but the mix of river views, local history, and small downtown spots keeps me coming back. Everything leads back to the river, whether I am walking along the path, sitting with a drink, or just looking out at the water. Each visit shows me something I missed before, and that quiet sense of discovery is what stays with me. Read more
DESTINATIONS & CITY GUIDES How to Spend 48 Hours in Burlington, Iowa this Spring Posted on March 8, 2026August 6, 2026 Plan the perfect fall weekend in Greater Burlington. Enjoy peaceful nature trails, rich local history, and cafes serving seasonal favorites. Explore the Mississippi River’s edge as the fall colors peak. Stay at Fairfield Inn & Suites for a convenient and comfortable base. Read more
DESTINATIONS & CITY GUIDES Let’s Spend a Relaxing Spring Weekend in Galesburg, Illinois Posted on March 4, 2026August 6, 2026 Galesburg feels small, but it makes a big impression. Just an hour from Rock Island, it’s packed with cafés, parks, vintage shops, and outdoor spaces coming alive in spring. I spent the day exploring quiet streets, fresh blooms, and finding the kind of charm you miss in bigger cities. Read more
FOOD AND DRINK 5 Pretty Cafes and Coffeehouses in the Quad Cities Posted on January 12, 2026August 9, 2026 Embarking on our first coffeehouses in the Quad Cities, Steven and I chose Vibrant Coffeehouses and Kitchen as our destination. Housed in a spacious warehouse-style setting, the coffeehouse offered a delightful array of coffee, desserts, salads, and sandwiches. The reasonably priced avocado toast, priced at $4.95, stood out on the menu, and the experience of ordering in the States without breaking the bank was a pleasant surprise. Read more
DESTINATIONS & CITY GUIDES Life in the Midwest: German-style Christmas Markets in America Posted on December 27, 2025August 10, 2026 Have you been to a German-styled Christmas Market in America? You should, it’s one of the things I miss most about living in Germany. The joyful spirit, brightly colored stalls, one-of-a-kind goods gifts and treats, has immigrated to the New World. Christmas Markets in are springing up all over America. Read more
MILITARY LIFE & TRAVEL Why Are Trump’s Top Officials Moving Onto Military Bases? Posted on November 17, 2025March 22, 2026 Several top Trump officials, including Pete Hegseth, Kristi Noem, and Stephen Miller, have moved into military base housing once reserved for top officers. They say it’s for safety, but questions linger about cost, transparency, and what their relocation reveals about power, fear, and the growing blur between civilian politics and military life. Read more
FOOD AND DRINK Free Food: Where a Veteran Can Get a Meal in the Quad Cities and Beyond This Veterans Day Posted on November 12, 2025July 27, 2026 Every Veterans Day, restaurants across the U.S. thank service members with free meals and coffee. This year, my husband Steven and my dad made the rounds together, my son joined from Kansas, and my daughter celebrated from her ship in Italy. From Hy-Vee to Texas Roadhouse, these gestures show that gratitude still lives in small, sincere ways. Read more