freelancer

Freedom Wall Recalls a Dark Time If you lived through the Vietnam Era, or if you had a relative in service during that time, you no doubt know that thousands of Americans gave their lives or were injured during the 10-year span of American participation in that conflict. Others returned home from their time in service and were treated with contempt by the public. They were combatants in an…

If you grew up hoping for a return wave from a train engineer or the brakeman on the caboose, as I did, you might want to make a special effort to view this historic steam locomotive on its 2024 tour. Or at least read about its history.

Santa Fe is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the United States. Here's what you should know before you plan your trip.

It has been more than a decade since I lived in Santa Fe. But it’s a city one cannot easily forget. In many ways, it’s a city that I will always miss. I fell in love with Santa Fe the first time I visited, about 1975, and I still cherish the years that I lived and worked there.   Long described by both residents and visitors as “The City Different,” Santa Fe was known by its earliest inhabitants…

Summer day trips are one of the best possible ways to learn more about what your home state has to offer. Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy every new adventure. about your hom

I am apt to brake quickly when driving along the byways of this country. I’m always on the lookout for distinctive photo ops, and I can’t resist interesting signs (especially unique place names like Toad Suck and Smackover in Arkansas,) decaying fences, old churches and cemeteries, or American flags painted on the sides of old barns and brick buildings. As my husband notes, I am sometimes a pain…

Have you ever dreamed of traveling to the moon? If so, learn about the history of NASA and the space race. A new era of international cooperation is dawning.

Read about my recent visit to Galveston, on the Texas Gulf Coast. If you haven't visited this distinctive, now might be the time.

Traveling is, for me, the most satisfying and enjoyable aspect of life, whether it's a road trip through my home state or a long flight to another country. Do you feel the same?

This is the third in a mini-series of posts about travel, primarily traveling alone in a busy, crowded world, and about what is great and not so great about solo travel, or about traveling in general. Anyone who knows me well knows that I have spent a lifetime traveling. I delight in telling newfound friends that my first cruise was at the age of nine, aboard a military transport ship. It was by…

Roatan may not be the most popular port for gulf of Mexico cruises, but we found many reasons to like this tiny island off the coast of Honduras.

Early in 2024, my husband and I booked a week-long cruise aboard Regal Princess, sailing out of Galveston, Texas. At the end of January we were looking for sun and warmth, a day or two of beach time, and serious relaxation. We found all that and more. Much more, in fact. In addition to bounteous food and entertainment aboard the ship, we booked three port excursions. Two of them were distinctive…

It was a dark and stormy night last night. This morning, it’s a grey and dreary morning. March 15, 2024, in Hot Springs Village, Arkansas. The creek outside my home is flowing fast, and there are puddles of water in the low spots on my property. From my balcony, I see no alarming signs of damage from last night’s storm. We are safe and warm. We have electricity and water. There are no downed…