Let’s be honest, there are good and bad things that come with being travel bloggers. One of the best things is the opportunity to experience so many amazing cities throughout North America. While we will usually only stay for two or three days, we can pack a lot of fun in a little time. With […]
Our travel blogging research sessions almost always only involves the two of us. When some new travel friends suggested joining us for a meal, we saw it as an opportunity to include them in one of our visits. It also gave me the idea of sharing with all of you what goes in to a
The Smoky Mountains are an area that has been on our travel radar for years. We have made visits to the Rocky and Ozark ranges, but the Appalachians have always been another trip away. When we finally made our way there, we wanted to experience as much as possible. Using Gatlinburg as a home base,
It bears repeating that New Orleans is unlike any other city in the world. One of the biggest draws in The Big Easy is the French Quarter. In comprises just 78 square blocks, but in this small space are untold tales of wonder and amazement. It is filled with historic buildings constructed in the late
We have some readers who are very firm believers in not visiting chains of any kind. There is a misconception that has spread, because of some of the fast food chains. In our opinion, not all chains are bad. Sometimes you discover food that is so good, that you wish to enjoy it when you
World War II was fought on such an epic scale that it is hard to imagine a museum being capable of reflecting its magnitude. When we discovered that The National World War II Museum was located in New Orleans, we knew a visit was required. Little did we realize just how engrossing the exhibits would
The Cost Of Peace – The National World War II Museum Read More »
It’s time for a confession. With all of the restaurants we have visited and covered, there are still some cuisines that we have overlooked. A friend clued us in on a Thai restaurant that we have passed more times than we can count. The description of the food was so compelling, that we knew it
When we are traveling there are not a lot of sports moments to be had. Trying to balance an itinerary with 6 to 9 stops per day makes it difficult to “suit up” for a special game. That doesn’t mean we haven’t found ways to satisfy our competitive sides. Miniature golf is always on our
New Orleans is a city that can easily drive a visitor to overindulge. While you may have just conjured up images of partying on Bourbon Street, we are actually referring to all of the amazing dining options. With an almost innumerable list of restaurants, diners, and eateries, this city dishes up an overload of flavors.
A visit to the Smoky Mountains offers travelers so many options. While it is easy to get caught up with shopping, hiking, and climbing, don’t forget to save time to learn about the people of the Appalachians. Who would be more native than the first residents to the region? A visit to the Museum of
Museum of the Cherokee Indian – A Smoky Mountain Side Trip Read More »
There are a variety of destinations that celebrate Carnival every year. Each has its own flavor, but New Orleans is the location that comes to mind when you hear the term Mardi Gras. Made up of about 16 days of parades and parties, this annual event has been referred to as the “Greatest Free Show
Greatest Free Show On Earth – New Orleans Mardi Gras Read More »
We enjoy happening upon a new eatery, especially when it is found in conjunction with another visit. This was the case when we were stumbling upon Smitty’s Garage at 8811 State Line, in Kansas City, Missouri. Located in a new development, it joins a handful of other eateries that are new to the city. These
Vacationing in Gatlinburg, Tennessee means plenty of dining options. We wanted to sample a mix of cuisines, since variety is the spice of life. No Way Jose’s Cantina was our choice for Mexican cuisine, and its location was a perfect fit for our day. With a visit to Ripley’s Aquarium next on our itinerary, we
There are moments in time that capture the attention of an entire nation, and even the world. When Hurricane Katrina assaulted the gulf coast, many of us were glued to the news as the tragedy unfolded. The devastation it brought was unimaginable, as the Crescent City took a share of the storm’s wrath. A visit
The Resilience Of New Orleans – The Presbytere Museum Read More »
Winter is one of our least favorite seasons. Sure the snow looks beautiful when it is newly fallen, but even that can become tedious with time. There comes a point that we just need to get out of town, even if only for the day. Fortunately, we have lots of great destinations nearby. A short
When we were planning our Gatlinburg, Tennessee visit there were a few stops that had to be included on our itinerary. Reviewing their website, we easily saw 6 reasons to visit Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. We decided to block off at least 2 hours for a visit, and we knew that our love for
6 Reasons To Visit Ripley’s Aquarium Of The Smokies Read More »
It’s hard to imagine that a market place has existed in New Orleans since 15 years after America claimed its independence. Ever since 1791, some form of market has resided just off the banks of the Mississippi River. It seems that almost every few decades would bring some type of change, but one thing stayed
5 Blocks Of Fun At The New Orleans French Market Read More »
Getting the opportunity to visit a place like the C.W. Parker Carousel Museum is like returning to the wonder years of our youth. There is something magical about taking a spin on a merry-go-round. For many of us, it was our first amusement ride, and one that is not discriminatory of age. The bright lights,
Many of our trips include multiple day stays in new destinations. Sometimes, our travel plans only allow for a short visit, which means we need to make the most of our available time. During our Smoky Mountain trip, we were only allotted 24 Hours in Downtown Knoxville, Tennessee. While it may not seem like much
No visit to New Orleans would be complete without seeing Jackson Square. This parklike setting is named for Andrew Jackson, who is considered one of the key heroes from the War of 1812. All around the square, you will find some of the oldest buildings in the city. To learn more about the early days
History tells us how the railroad was key to Westward Expansion. The race to cross the continent is well documented. Afterwards, it was the railroads that moved people and goods around the nation. Pullman Place Family Restaurant honors this important mode of transportation by including railroad memorabilia in its decor. Located in downtown Leavenworth, Kansas,
Homestyle Eats At Pullman Place Family Restaurant Read More »
Businesses evolve over time, but the idea of good eats must remain a mainstay for them to be sustainable. The Tomato Head, in downtown Knoxville, is an example of a business that has embraced change. Located in the Market Square, this place is focusing on the food, and offers guests a variety of options to satisfy
During our last trip to New Orleans, we made sure to set aside time to experience some of the historical sites in the French Quarter. The 1850 House is one of five museums organized by the Louisiana State Museum organization, in the Crescent City. While this attraction isn’t a specific family’s home, it is a
Life During Westward Expansion – New Orleans 1850 House Read More »
It amazes us when we visit a site that we have been so close to, for many years, but have never explored. The Frontier Army Museum, at Fort Leavenworth, is a prime example. Oh, we’ve been to Leavenworth plenty of times, and even quite a few on the Fort Leavenworth Army base. We just never
Understanding the background of the people in a region helps us to better connect with the residents we meet during our trips. To get this information, we find that a visit to the local history museum is a great start. The East Tennessee History Center is located in downtown Knoxville. Inside, we found plenty of
East Tennessee History Museum -The Appalachian Connection Read More »
New Orleans exudes history, which can be found around almost every corner. A visit to the French Quarter opens up a new realm of ages old buildings filled with unexpected treasures. The Gumbo Shop is one of those locations that has stories to tell, if you just take the time to listen. With a menu
Leavenworth, Kansas is an easy day trip from our hometown of Kansas City. On an unseasonably warm winter day, we made our way to the “first city” in Kansas to see some new sights. A good day of exploring requires some fuel, which we found at Harbor Lights Coffeehouse & Cafe. After a short drive,
Ice cream happens to be one of our favorite treats, so a visit to Cruze Farm Dairy was a welcome stop. Our “foodie” friends in Knoxville, Tennessee had clued us in on this downtown destination. The buzz focused around the farm fresh taste of their products. After our first dinner date in Market Square, we made
Strolling through the French Quarter, in New Orleans, you can happen upon some unusual sites. While many may be on the quirky side, the French Quarter Visitor Center was a pleasurable way to learn more about the area we were exploring. Tucked away in the notorious French Quarter, this space may be diminutive, but the
Learning the history of a destination helps us better understand the principles on which it was founded. In Knoxville, we only had one day to gather all of the historical knowledge that we could absorb. A stop at McClung Museum of Natural History & Culture would certainly assist our endeavor. Located on the campus of
McClung Museum of Natural History – An Educational Museum For All Ages Read More »
On our first visit to the Crescent City, we had the pleasure of sampling Café Du Monde, which we consider a New Orleans staple. Our return coincided with the city’s 300th birthday, and we were ready to help them celebrate. This ages old restaurant has been serving up a simple menu since 1862. The original
This Kansas City winter has brought a rollercoaster of weather. Last weekend we were anticipating our second big snow in two weeks, which fortunately bypassed us. Even with the cold rain falling from the sky, we still planned a stop at Betty Rae’s Ice Cream to check out their treat menu. We had been seeing
Betty Rae’s Ice Cream Brings Smiles On A Cloudy Day Read More »
Farm to Table has become a catch phrase used by many businesses these days. During a visit to Market Square, in Knoxville, Tennessee, we had an opportunity to taste what that phrase is designed to represent. Market Square is a fun destination, filled with eclectic shops and delicious eateries. We had scoped out the area
2018 was a capital year for us, as it relates to traveling. We were able to visit four state capitals, including Little Rock, Arkansas. In each of these cities, we spent the majority of our time in the downtown areas. Each offered a different experience, but we found a common thread between them. Each city
There are few dishes that can represent an entire cuisine. Pizza is one of those meals that can easily stand on its own. In KCK, there are a variety of pizza shops, but 1889 Pizza Napoletana stands out from the crowd by delivering classic pies to its customers. We’ve had the chance to visit previously,
Having an opportunity to learn more about the founding of a city makes our visit that much more special. James White Fort is the birthplace of Knoxville, Tennessee and was located close to our hotel in downtown. While the original arrival of White occurred in the early 1780’s, this site wasn’t restored until almost 200
James White’s Fort – Exploring Knoxville’s Roots Read More »
Little Rock, Arkansas offers visitors many ways to sample the flavors of the city. While the restaurant scene is flourishing, we found that there are some other unique options where you can discover amazing tastes. Our visit only covered about three days, but you will see that during that period we uncovered a wide variety
Downtown Knoxville, Tennessee has a wide range of delicious eateries like Tupelo Honey Cafe. We found this place during our first visit to the Market Square, which was easy walking distance from our hotel. Since the mid-1800’s, this neighborhood has been filled with businesses that attract workers and visitors alike. These days it is a
Little Rock is a city filled with history and we love to learn about the beginnings of the destinations we visit. A stop at the Historic Arkansas Museum was sure to provide a good backdrop for us to find out about the start of the river town. Little did we realize that here we would
Historic Arkansas Museum – Where History Comes To Life Read More »
One of the key goals of Our Changing Lives is to showcase places that are often overlooked as potential destinations. Some are sites that are hidden gems inside of major cities. Others, like Lucas, Kansas, are smaller towns that hold some unique sights that are less known. While many people have never heard of this
Lucas, Kansas – Journey To Grassroots Art Central Read More »
Being at the forefront of the national news is something that many cities would dream of, but not when it is due to public strife. While the conflict at Central High School was 60 years ago, we still see some of the struggles continuing today. Little Rock, Arkansas may have been the backdrop for this particular
Whenever we head out for a day full of exploring, we pre-examine the dining options in the area we plan to visit. This was our second Shop Small Saturday event, and we were excited that it was in Parkville, Missouri this year. Picking Stone Canyon Pizza as our lunch choice was a chance to visit
Stone Canyon Pizza – Fueling Our Shop Small Saturday Read More »
We are pretty sure that most of you have heard of the Garden of Eden, but did you know there is one in Lucas, Kansas? When we first found out about this uniquely Kansas attraction, we knew a visit was in store. Samuel Dinsmoor, the creator of this site, built his masterpiece at an age
“I have to go to the bathroom!” It’s amazing the amount of dread that these seven words can create in a parent. How many road trips are interrupted in a mad pursuit of an acceptably clean public restroom? In Lucas, Kansas, the influx of tourists wanting to view the “Grassroots Art Capital of Kansas” created
Taking Bathroom Selfies To Another Level At Bowl Plaza Read More »
In the past few years we have been seeing more and more small businesses gaining a foothold in communities. This is certainly a change from the long stretch we saw of big business edging out smaller competitors. While we know that bigger business platforms offer economy of scale, it’s the smaller business models that bring
We are betting that many of you have heard of the TV show Rare Visions & Roadside Revelations, which airs on public television. The dynamic trio searches out unique sights across the nation, but in Lucas, Kansas we found a collection that was the subject of one of their stops. At The World’s Largest Collection of
Like many of the cities we visit, Little Rock offers a vibrant downtown. The area we focused on was near the River Market district, which includes the Clinton Presidential Library, an amazing river trail, and a local farmers market. On a beautiful Saturday morning, we left our hotel in search of coffee, before hitting up
For those who haven’t followed us long, we enjoy a nice glass of wine. Of course, we find that the reason they make so many varieties, is because everyone has their own preferences. Fortunately, we both are fans of wines on the sweet side, so it’s not hard for us to find a bottle we
An InstaTasting At Rowe Ridge Vineyards and Winery Read More »
Our first knowledge of Lucas revolved around how artsy this Central Kansas town is known to be. With only this in mind, we began planning our visit. A “must see” we discovered is the Grassroots Art Center, which is located on Main Street. Opened in 1999, this unique attraction occupies the space of three historic
Grassroots Art Center Draws The Folk To Folk Art Read More »
We hail from a river city, so visiting Little Rock, Arkansas gave us an opportunity to see how they have handled their waterway. With the Arkansas River bisecting the city, it becomes a focal point for transportation and recreation. While cities must always be aware of potential flooding possibilities, we like it when we find