An often overlooked region, Seattle’s Eastside offers visitors a unique blend of outdoor adventure, small-town culture, and urban sophistication.

The adjacent cities of Bellevue and Issaquah provide a perfect blend of urban amenities and natural wonders, making them ideal destinations for travelers seeking to explore beyond the typical tourist track.

Oklahoma Living - Together, the Fulks have gone on to become not only staunch advocates of the famed Ouachita National Recreation Trail, but one of the core members of the Friends of the Ouachita Trail (FoOT) organization.

THE CHRON - When travelers think of a beach vacationwith swim-up bars and real sand between the toes, Oklahoma City probably isn't the first destination that comes to mind. That's about to change with the Feb. 21 opening of OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark, a $400 million development from the Chickasaw Nation that's bringing a slice of coastal luxury to the Southern Plains.

Cowboys & Indians Magazine - June 2024 - “We don’t want any more people moving here,” Bikini Woman said. “They ruin everything.” I couldn’t quite tell how she meant it, but there was reason to take her at her serious tone. The “everything” she referred to could only mean the rugged and mountainous landscape of Idaho, its multitude of hot springs, its still-wild open spaces, and the curious geological wonders that drew me to explore this state to begin with.

World Footprints - June 15, 2024 - Tucked along the border of North Carolina, and just mere miles from Charlotte, the Olde English District of South Carolina promises a relaxed and surprising journey. Here you’ll find a blend of small-town charm, outdoor adventures and rich history. Spanning seven counties—Chester, Chesterfield, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lancaster, Union and York—this region unveils a fascinating past and celebrates trailblazers.

World Footprints - June 28, 2024 - The Basque Block in Boise, Idaho, stands as a vibrant testament to the rich cultural heritage of one of the state’s most distinctive ethnic communities. This historic stretch of Grove Street, once home to some of Boise’s earliest and most prominent families, now serves as a thriving center of Basque culture and cuisine.

Travel Awaits - Next year marks the centennial anniversary of Craters of the Moon as a national monument and the celebration will include themed programs, special events, and more stargazing than ever before.

The Smithsonian Sept/Oct. 2023 - For these ambitious scientists in the rainforests of Ecuador, helping the environment has never tasted so sweet

Cowboys & Indians - The new Martin Scorsese movie masterpiece lays bare a shocking chapter in American history and thrusts Oklahoma and the Osage Nation into the Hollywood spotlight.

SOUTHERN LIVING - Guthrie may be one of Oklahoma’s most historic towns to visit, but it offers modern luxuries, a lively music scene and plenty of modern-day adventures.

Southern Living - A landlocked state may not be the first spot that comes to mind when you think of waterfront fun, but Oklahoma's lakes will easily tempt you think again.

Sierra Magazine - Taking what they learned about how climate change is affecting the world’s most delicate ecosystems, Strøm and Sorby are promoting dialogue about it through the educational outreach platform they launched, Hearts in the Ice.

Travel Awaits - We had just done our first Polar Plunge, and our first time was in the bay at Deception Island, Antarctica. As they say, if you’re gonna go, go big! The Polar Plunge was the ice cube on top of the frozen cake, and here’s why I can’t wait to do it again.

Travel Awaits - To make the most of those hard-earned vacation dollars, here are six budget-friendly experiences in Anchorage to experience the best Alaska has to offer.

Travel Awaits - Exploring the equator in Quito, Ecuador, provides an opportunity to experience amazing natural and cultural landmarks, including the dividing line between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

Cowboys & Indians Magazine - As Will Rogers’ The Illiterate Digest turns 100, the crucial quest goes on to enrich the legacy of “America’s favorite son” for future generations to come.

BBC - Born from poverty but made famous by love, the fried onion burger has fans flocking to El Reno in Oklahoma.

COWBOYS & INDIANS - Former rodeo contestant, master hatter, businesswoman, cancer charity founder, Cowgirl Hall of Famer — Lavonna "Shorty" Koger is also an American treasure.

AARP Magazine - At 51, I had fought most of my life to beat that red dirt sound out of my speech. I forced my tongue into contortions that didn’t quite fit because I felt that having a deep drawl came with judgmental assumptions of simpleminded ignorance. On this trip, however, I not only embraced the long vowels and country-speak that embarrassed me back home but amplified it.

TRAVEL AWAITS - March 20, 2023 - Recently, I had the opportunity to spend five days in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and although I was traveling on a tight budget, I found enough free or low-cost things to do in this vibrant Argentinian city. From free walking tours and museum days to verdant parks and public street fairs, you’ll find plenty of things to do without breaking the bank.

By Heide Brandes

Forty years ago this month, a shabby little whitewashed wood and brick house put Tulsa’s Northside neighborhood on the national map when the movie The Outsiders premiered.

FODORS - Visit these spooky literary destinations for thrills and chills.

BBC - Did Vikings find their way to a remote part of Oklahoma? Some in a small community believe so, thanks to controversial runic carvings found in the area.

COWBOYS & INDIANS - BY HEIDE BRANDES

MAY 5, 2022

Every year, Cherokee youth take to their bikes to explore the tragic history of the Trail of Tears on a 950-mile ride.

FODORS - June 14, 2022

From large luxurious Class A RVs to little pop-up campers, renting is a good way to save a little money this summer and help you decide if the #vanlife is really for you.