DESTINATIONS & CITY GUIDES How to Spend 48 Hours in Burlington, Iowa this Spring Posted on March 8, 2026August 6, 2026 By Stacey A. Peters 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, 2026October 18, 2026 By Stacey A. Peters 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 By Stacey A. Peters 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
MILITARY LIFE & TRAVEL Why Are Trump’s Top Officials Moving Onto Military Bases? Posted on November 17, 2025August 30, 2026 By Stacey A. Peters 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, 2025August 30, 2026 By Stacey A. Peters 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
CULTURE, EVENTS & EXPERIENCES FAA Orders Flight Cuts Amid Government Shutdown: What Travelers Need to Know Posted on November 9, 2025August 30, 2026 By Stacey A. Peters On November 7, 2025, the FAA ordered airlines to cut flights at 40 major U.S. airports due to the ongoing government shutdown. With staffing shortages, unpaid air traffic controllers, and mounting fatigue across the system, travelers now face widespread cancellations and delays. This post explains what’s happening, why it matters, and how we can stay informed—and help. Read more
DESTINATIONS & CITY GUIDES Galena’s Night of the Luminaria & Living Windows Posted on November 4, 2025August 16, 2026 By Stacey A. Peters Every December, Galena transforms into a glowing holiday village. More than 5,000 luminarias light up its hills and streets, while the Living Windows event turns shopfronts into festive scenes. Between the music, candlelight, and small-town charm, it’s a night that feels straight out of a Christmas movie—romantic, family-friendly, and completely free. Read more
CULTURE, EVENTS & EXPERIENCES When the Mail Stops: How Trump’s Tariff Rule Cut Off Global Packages to the U.S. Posted on October 27, 2025December 21, 2025 By Stacey A. Peters Trump’s 2025 decision to end the *de minimis* exemption halted duty-free imports under $800, triggering global mail disruptions. More than 30 countries limited or paused shipments to the U.S. as postal systems adjusted to new customs rules. The policy added tariffs, raised costs, and strained everyday connections across borders. Read more
CULTURE, EVENTS & EXPERIENCES The Decline of the U.S. Passport and What It Means for Travelers Like You & Me Posted on October 26, 2025July 24, 2026 By Stacey A. Peters The blog explores how the U.S. passport, once a symbol of global freedom, has lost influence due to shifting politics, stricter visa policies, and America’s declining global image. It reflects on how these changes affect travelers, especially slow travelers, and what this means for freedom, privilege, and the perception of the United States abroad. Read more