One of the things that I like best about the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha is the immersive nature of all the exhibits. Each area of the zoo is appropriately themed down to the animal buildings and enclosures. This includes one of my BRAND NEW favorite exhibits - the Hubbard Orangutan Forest.

Des Moines is a beautiful city with enough population to bring in major concerts, events, and restaurants, but small enough to feel like a large small town. I always enjoy going to Des Moines. One of the things I enjoy there is trying new (to me) restaurants.

I scream…you scream…we all scream for PIZZA!!! Well, most of us do anyway. 😉 I don’t know too many people who don’t LOVE pizza! And where is the best pizza, according to many folks? Italy!!! Mangia, Italia! 🫶

If you’re like me, you love to discover unexpected little gems when you travel, especially ones that are underrated or somewhat unknown. When you find a place like that, it feels sort of like you have opened a surprise birthday gift and are delighted. That was the way I felt when I visited the ESSE Purse Museum and Store!

I have enjoyed going to arts festivals for many years. I enjoy the art tents sitting side by side, with many types of artworks in the same small space. I enjoy the art festival atmosphere. It just feels like a big party!

When I travel I always like to try the local foods and participate in local cultural experiences. It could be a cooking activity or class. It could be a tour with local foods or customs. It could be meeting a family and sharing a meal with them or just visiting with them and trying to learn a few words of their language. In Milan, I chose to learn the art of making mosaics with Murano glass from Venice.

Hello my fellow, summer travelers! I just wanted to jump in and give you an update on Omaha-area and Midwest Summer activities this weekend.

I have to admit I was not prepared for the unbelievable beauty of the Exquisite Creatures exhibit. It was one of the best and most unique exhibits I have ever seen. The artist and naturalist, Christopher Marley, takes animals, fish, insects, and other creatures that have recently died and preserves them. While that itself is not so unusual, what he does with them is. He creates some of the most unique, gorgeous, and fascinating artwork I have ever encountered. REALLY.

Last summer I spent a week on my own in Milan! I stayed at an AirBnb with the most wonderful host and arranged some wonderful tours and activities while I was there. One of them was an exuberant tour in a classic Fiat! One of the places we went was called BAM: The Library of Trees. Join me for a quick tour and of BAM and information to plan your own tour!

Corgi races are really a “thing” in the Omaha area. I have wanted to attend the races since I first heard about them a year or two ago. After all, I have to cheer on my short-legged, spunky little friends. Join me for a front-row seat!

Last summer I spent a week on my own in Milan! I stayed at an AirBnb with the most wonderful host and arranged some wonderful tours and activities while I was there. One of them was an exuberant tour in a classic Fiat!

Salem, Massachusetts is a fascinating place both for its long and varied history and for the events that took place there - e.g. The Salem Witch Trials.

The Salem of today touts both in a big way. Not only is it a great place to learn about colonial history, it also has become famous all things witch and supernatural related. And don’t even get me started on the town’s Halloween Festival.

Some news about my blog and posting schedule. Click for details!

If you’ve never been to the Himalayas, you will feel like you have when you visit the Omaha zoo’s Asian Highlands. One of the things that I like best about the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha is the immersive nature of all the exhibits. Each area of the zoo is appropriately themed down to the animal enclosures. This includes one of my favorite exhibits - the Asian Highlands. You will really feel like you have been transported to the mountains of Asia when you enter this area.

As you have likely guessed, I really enjoy staying in AirBnbs when it makes sense to do so. The variety of AirBnbs and other home rental offerings is amazing to me.

Travel blog post schedule for this week! Milan, Oklahoma City, Omaha Zoo, Best AirBnbs, The Kennedy Center in DC!

As many of you are aware, part of the United States experienced a total eclipse on April 8. The total eclipse cut a path diagonally through the US starting in Texas and finishing in the state of Maine. Because it will be 20 years before the next total eclipse in the US, I wanted to be sure to experience this eclipse in the zone of totality.

One of the places I was really impressed with was Myriad Botanical Gardens. It was located downtown and all the spring flowers were blooming. There were tulips and daffodils blooming everywhere. The weather was perfect the day I went as well. Can you say GORGEOUS? I absolutely loved it! 🥰

I’ve always been both fascinated and slightly squeamish about nocturnal animals in general. But not so much anymore! The Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo’s Kingdoms of the Night will introduce you to numerous unusual and sometimes even endearing creatures.

It’s hard to believe that around 13 or 14 years ago a co-worker had to explain to me what an AirBnb was. I had never heard of the concept and found it a bit odd. The thought of staying in someone else’s home seemed odd to me. Fast forward to 2024 and I have now stayed in 35 of them.