Travel
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.
ROVOLOGY - I had ventured into The Finger Lakes region of New York for fall leaf peeping, winery visits, and hikes among New York State’s thundering waterfalls, but instead, I found myself reeling with the history of people who created a life of freedom and equality for me.
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 - Even the most organized and careful traveler can lose their wallet or passport. When your ID or credit cards go missing before a flight or other travel, don’t panic.
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.
THE JOURNAL RECORD - Travel trends for those seeking leisure vacations in 2023 are tenuous at best. Rising airfare, labor shortages in the travel industry and pent-up demand are driving costs higher, but international travel and experiential adventures seem to be on the rise.
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.
FODORS - June 30, 2022
The COVID pandemic put a sharp halt to that in 2020. And although 2021 saw the return of domestic climbers, the Denali National Park Service is gearing up for “revenge travel” as international climbers return to the mountain this year.
And the mountains have already claimed their first victims this year as well.
ROUTE MAGAZINE - August 2022
BY Heide Brandes
Fortunately, the museum dedicated to one of the most beloved Americans in history is located right along Oklahoma’s stretch of Route 66. Tourists who may never have heard of the man who was once the top entertainer in the world now buzz through, thanks to the car clubs and bus tours that follow the Mother Road.
ROUTE Magazine - On any given day in Ash Fork, Fayrene Hume is outside pulling weeds or picking up trash along the side of the roads. At 85, Hume doesn’t care if the townsfolk call her children in town to express their worry or surprise. Hume has lived a life that has been beat to her own drum, and the town of Ash Fork is darn lucky.
TRAVEL AWAITS - For those who seek bold winter adventures, here’s the good news. You don’t have to be a young extreme athlete to enjoy these bold winter adventures. While you do need to be physically mobile and healthy, these wild winter adventures — ranging from snow machining to ice climbing — can be enjoyed by travelers of all experience levels and ages.