After a year and a half of COVID-19 lockdowns, we were thrilled when the U.S.—and most of the world—reopened. But, with recent news of the Delta variant and breakthrough cases, we aren’t completely out of the woods yet. You can still enjoy a road trip, however, with some advanced planning and precautions. Here are six tips to help keep your COVID-19 road trips safe and fun. Read more
If you’ve ever pulled over for a photo op of a Muffler Man or detoured to get a glimpse of the world’s largest steer, then you must plan a visit to Casey, Illinois. Fair warning: You won’t get away with just a quick stop in Casey. You’ll want to spend several hours there, maybe even all day. You see, Casey is home to the world’s largest wind chime, rocking chair, mailbox, and nine more sculptures that have made it into the Guinness Book of World Records. Read more
We see a lot of outhouses in our travels—and even use them occasionally when we’re desperate. We’ve seen two-hole outhouses in living history museums (the family that poops together….?) But never before had we seen a two-story outhouse like the one in the central Illinois town of Gays. Read more
You can’t order a Whopper® at this Burger King. In fact, you won’t find a Whopper within 25 miles of the Mattoon, Illinois, restaurant. You see, the original Burger King is not related to the chain of the same name. So, while you won’t get that fake charcoal flavor the chain is known for, you can enjoy a tasty, diner-type burger with all the toppings.
It’s time for the Buffalo Roundup in South Dakota’s Customer State Park! And this year you can watch all the action online. This exciting annual event takes place on Friday, September 25, at 10:30 a.m. Central Time.
I had the privilege of being part of the Buffalo Roundup in 2014. Standing in the bed of a pickup truck, I rode alongside the cowboys and cowgirls as they cracked their whips. The ground shook as the thundering herd of 1,300 bison kicked up dust. I felt like I was in the midst of a western movie. The Buffalo Roundup is by far the most memorable experience as a travel writer.
Read on for my close-up encounter in the Buffalo Roundup and to get an idea of what you’ll see when you watch online on September 25. Read more
Touring the Community Veterans Memorial in Munster, Indiana, is like winding your way through U.S. Military history. From sculptures to landscaping, the memorial takes you through 20th century wars. Read more
