I love to stay in unique hotels when I travel so on a recent trip to Kansas City, I decided to try a highly-rated newer hotel I spotted on Trip Advisor. What I discovered is my new favorite hotel to stay in when in KC. It’s called The Aida KC.

As I have “acquired years and wisdom” (read between the lines), I have discovered that “tiptoeing through the tulips” is actually very beneficial for my well-being on multiple levels. I now LOVE gardens, particularly botanical gardens! Not only do they encourage me to get my steps in, the flowers, foliage, and trees enhance my mental health and feed my soul. The artwork inspires me. Listening to the birds sing and watching butterflies flit around calms and fascinates me. And I always learn something new. In short, spending time in a garden just makes me doggone happy. Maybe you can relate! 😁

I’ve probably driven by Fat Putter at least 50 times in the last year or two, always reminding myself that sometime we should go there. Well, let me tell you that we should have gone sooner because it is super fun! Allow me to give you a look around…

Just got home from a fun trip to the Kansas City area! Here’s a few photos to pique your curiosity. More photos and stories to follow soon right here on my blog!

Ok, fellow Iowans - did you know that the beautiful Iowa Capitol building in Des Moines was not the original Iowa Capitol? Despite learning Iowa history in elementary school, I had forgotten that the original capitol building was in Iowa City and served as its first seat of government for approximately ten years, from 1846 to 1857. The building would then become the University of Iowa’s first building.

Whether you grew up on a farm or have never stepped foot on a farm, you will LOVE your stay at Lucky Star Farm near Iowa City, Iowa. So much to do on the farm and so much to see within an hour’s drive in any direction. Come explore one of my “happy places!”

While I love road trips, sometimes driving for several hours makes this body ache a bit. My usual solution is to find a highly rated city, county, or state park to get in a quick walk.

Someday when I decide to slow down a bit, I want to learn how to quilt. I have said that for at least 20 years, so maybe someday I will actually do it. I just adore the artistic aspect of quilts. They are blank fabric canvases and you can create a thousand different masterpieces with them, depending on the pattern, the fabric and even the quilt stitch. The possibilities are endless. You can even tell a story with them, as folks did on the Underground Railroad.

While it’s true “There’s no place like home” there are certainly wonderful home rentals that not only feel like home, but also make you feel like you’ve been transported to a completely different world. That was my family’s recent experience while staying in a fantastic newer AirBnb in Topeka, Kansas for Father’s Day weekend.

As I was driving out of Sac City, Iowa yesterday a Freedom Rock captured my eye, surrounded by a tall circle of American flags. What is a Freedom Rock? It is a large rock painted on all sides with patriotic murals and tributes to those who have served in our armed forces in the U.S. These unique murals are painted by Ray “Bubba” Sorensen II. Many towns in Iowa have one.

Do you enjoy reading and browsing fun, unique stores? Are you looking for a summer getaway that’s something a little different? Maybe even a QUEST? 😲

I strongly believe that “great art” is in the eye of the beholder and not in the artwork itself. I can look at the same piece of art as 20 other people and it would “speak” to us in 20 different ways. With that thought in mind, I viewed lots of great art at the Des Moines Arts Festival today. I talked to a number of talented and friendly artists

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. Check out this barn-themed AirBnb in Roger’s, Arkansas!

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.