Nine Underrated Summer Travel Destinations

Summer is a time for adventure and exploration. But with so many popular destinations to choose from, it can be hard to decide where to go. If you’re looking for a summer travel experience that’s off the beaten path, consider one of these underrated destinations. Asheville, North Carolina Asheville is a charming city in the…

Rugged Beauty

Rugged BeautyBandon is a bit of Scotland on the Oregon Coast   by Kim Cooper Findling It was never a sure thing that tiny, charming Bandon, Oregon would become a world-famous destination. Founded in 1891 and named for Bandon, Ireland, the small town on the rural Southern Oregon Coast supported a modest population by growing…

Best Wildflowers in the West

Best Wildflowers in the WestExplore the beauty and diversity of wildflowers in Oregon and Idaho   by Damian Fagan Wildflowers bursting with color define summer in the West. The show starts in spring at lower elevations and follows the receding snow line up the mountains through fall. A palette of wildflowers paint mountain meadows and…

Rodeo Culture

Rodeo CultureRounding up the best of the West   by Adam Sawyer The American rodeo, like so many other ingrained aspects of culture across this continent, has its roots in a melding of customs and traditions. With heavy American Indian as well as Spanish and Mexican influence from the vaqueros’ the word “rodeo” comes from…

Music City

Music CityHitting the high notes in Nashville   by Katy Koontz Country-music icons such as Dolly Parton perform in Nashville, along with up-and-coming artists. Nashville has long been heralded as the mecca of country music, and for good reason. Most country stars old and new have lived, frequently performed, or recorded here. Just don’t assume…

Traveling with Pets

Traveling with PetsPet-friendly journeys with a furry companion   by Teresa Ristow It’s a scenario pet parents know well: You’re on vacation exploring an attraction, taking a scenic hike or enjoying an al fresco dining experience, when you run into a fellow traveler with their pet. Suddenly, you miss your own four-legged companion back home,…

Ojai

OjaiVisit Shangri-la at California’s valley paradise by Garrick Ramirez With palm trees and aromatic citrus groves bounded by the soaring Topatopa Mountains, it’s little wonder Ojai is regarded as California’s Shangri-la. Set within a mountain-ringed valley 80 miles northwest of Los Angeles, the diminutive town’s oversized scenery and balmy Mediterranean climate have made it a…