The iconic Mardi Gras Indians are as inexorably linked to the annual New Orleans carnival celebration as beads, boobs and booze. But beyond their sensational suits laced with gorgeous gems, Keep Reading
Exploring Rio Secreto, the Riviera Maya’s Amazing Underground River
Caves held a strange, primal allure for me long before we visited Rio Secreto. From reading about Tom Sawyer's adventures in Mark Twain's classic novel to watching movies such as The Goonies and the Keep Reading
Top 5 Autumn Activities Around Atlanta
Autumn in Atlanta has always been my favorite time of year. From the cool, crisp weather to the rich hues of the changing leaves, there’s something magical about these months before the craziness of Keep Reading
DIY Mesa Verde Tours: How to Explore the National Park on Your Own
When I started planning a cross-country road trip with my British wife, Emma, Mesa Verde tours weren't originally part of our itinerary. We spent most of the last decade in Central America, Keep Reading
Treme, New Orleans (How Congo Square Was The Birthplace of American Culture)
Congo Square is quiet now. Traffic forms a dull drone in the distance. A lone percussionist taps out ancient tribal rhythms on a two-headed hand drum. An air compressor used in Rampart Street road Keep Reading
Minnesota Zoo Conservation: How Zoos Help Endangered Species
When I asked Dr. Tara Harris what her typical day at the Minnesota Zoo was like, her eyes widened and she stifled a small chortle. “I don’t have typical days,” she said. “Every day is different.” You Keep Reading
The Donald Trump Environment Policy: Four Fronts to Fight On
Mustafa Ali worked for the Environmental Protection Agency for 20+ years. He co-founded its Office of Environmental Justice, which helped ensure poor/minority communities had access to the benefits of Keep Reading
90th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (Photo Gallery)
90th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade I've been dreaming of seeing the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade ever since I was a young boy, watching the annual broadcast from the cozy comfort of my Keep Reading
Finger Lakes Waterfalls: A Visitors Guide
The Finger Lakes are 11 glacial lakes, all of which are shaped like fingers, located in the central region of New York state. The region is perhaps best known for its impressive gorges, which were Keep Reading
VIRGINIA: Pleasure House Oysters Helps Restore Chesapeake Bay
It's a chilly October morning when we head out with Captain Chris Ludford of Virginia Beach's Pleasure House Oysters. We step onto his boat loaded with oyster cages, colorful baskets, and various Keep Reading
Avenue of the Giants: Scenic Drive Through California’s Redwood Trees
Avenue of the Giants Scenic Drive Through California's Redwood Trees No physical border indicated that we were there– that we were finally in the presence of giants. But, as we drove into Keep Reading
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (Photo Gallery)
One of Alaska’s biggest draws is their wealth of spectacular wildlife. At the 200-acre Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, jaws tend to drop in awe... even those of longtime Alaskans who’ve studied Keep Reading
ALABAMA: Fishing Mobile Bay & the Mobile-Tensaw Delta
Carnival in Mobile, Alabama is over. In this coastal city, where the first American Mardi Gras was allegedly observed in 1703, all the parades and pageantry are done for the year; all the beads have Keep Reading
TEXAS: Our Sea Turtle Rescue with Sea Turtle Inc
Our Sea Turtle Rescue with Sea Turtle Inc "We just got a call from the captain of a local shrimp boat," said Jeff George, the Executive Director of Sea Turtle Inc. "They've got a sea Keep Reading
The First Mardi Gras: Visiting the Mobile Carnival Museum
Held every year on the day before Ash Wednesday, Mardi Gras (a.k.a. Fat Tuesday) in New Orleans is a cultural spectacle to behold, rivaled only by Carnival in Brazil and the Holi Festival of Keep Reading
LOUISIANA: Cajun Food Tours in Lafayette
Cajun Food Tours in Lafayette, Louisiana One of the main reasons Mary and I work so well together as both romantic and business partners is that we had a lot of things in common long Keep Reading
