Short story on western Pennsylvania’s 70 mile Laurel Highlands Trail about an unexpected route to happiness and contentment…
All in Travel Stories
Guide to Minimalism: How to Downsize From a House to a Backpack
Are you considering a move to minimalism? Understand that you are not just disposing of random objects. You are, in fact, eliminating tangible indicators of the person who you wanted others to believe you are (read that twice). What will you do with a blank slate?
Hiking Is Zen
Hiking is simple, structured, quiet. I step into nature to calm the mind, soothe the soul, and find a little zen. This post is dedicated to anyone who thinks that hiking is just a hot, tiresome walk without a point. For me, hiking is a walking meditation that calms the monkey-mind and draws me into the present moment.
Roadtrip! Chasing Waterfalls Across Virginia
Do you love waterfalls? How about a week long road trip through southern Virginia? We spent 6 nights camping and hiking along the Blue Ridge Parkway and in Washington and Jefferson National Forests. This post details our driving, camping, and hiking itinerary — centered around seven major waterfalls — to inspire your next Virginia road trip.
Long Read: The Root of America's Healthcare Problem Is Cartel Pricing by Monopolies
Our current health care system is not working for Americans. Pricing is irrational and quality is poor. That’s because healthcare in America has been hijacked by conglomerate monopolies that control pricing like cartels. In this post, I discuss the reasons our health care costs so much.
Tea Time at Suyeonsanbang Tea House in Seoul
Slip into this quiet tea house in Seongbuk-dong, Seoul, for an afternoon respite…
Explaining the Relationship Between Long Term Travel and Vegetarianism
In preparation for our trip around the world, I read many travel blogs. I was struck by how many long-term travelers were vegetarian. I wondered, do vegetarians travel more? Or was there something about global travel that made people become vegetarian?
Lost In Translation: Nepal
Things that make you go “hmmmmm….”
Annapurna Circuit Trek 2018
The Annapurna Circuit is the ideal place to wander, planning each day as it comes based on weather, time, altitude factors, trail conditions, and fatigue. We hiked the circuit in the Spring of 2018, starting in Chamje and ending in Birethanti.
Siem Reap, Cambodia: Unraveling the Mysteries of the Khmers in Angkor
Before coming to Siem Reap, I had the misconception that Angkor Wat was a single temple. But I quickly learned it is just one of many in a vast complex of other Hindu and Buddhist temple cities built by various Khmer Dynasty rulers during a 500-year period between 900 and 1400 A.D...
Sharing the Tet Temple Pilgrimage Experience in Ninh Binh, Vietnam
The temples in Tam Coc, Ninh Binh province, have exceptional characteristics, which is why they are a popular pilgrimage destination during Tet. Happy Year of the Dog!
Ha Giang, Vietnam: Motorbike Circuit
Our motorbike tour through Ha Giang province in Vietnam's northern highlands was the capstone of our two months in Vietnam...
Perfect Island Retreat for Couples in Con Dao, Vietnam
Con Dao is a perfect couple's retreat for those who love a quiet beach, an eye-opening dip in the salty bay after a hot morning run, and long stretches of simply staring in amazement at nature's glorious beauty.
Gratitude for "No Time"
These days, I rarely acknowledge time and am grateful for its absence.
Hue, Vietnam: Beautiful City With a Turbulent Past
Hue is a beautiful, modern city with a sordid past. From unifying the country to eventually selling-out to the French, the political events in Hue nearly 200 years ago altered the trajectory of the country.
Vietnam's Garden of Eden: Viet Hai
Most tourists to northern Vietnam book a fast-paced, one-day excursion to Halong Bay only to post disappointed reviews later. Do yourself a favor: ditch the crowds and enjoy a little slice of Eden in Viet Hai on the island of Cat Ba...
Impressions of Hanoi, Vietnam
We were in Hanoi Vietnam for a week and it took about that long to get used to the noise, dirt, and chaos. There is an order, but don’t expect to articulate or quantify it. You just have to surrender to it.
The Religion of Wine in Rioja Valley, Spain
Spain has its own unique rhythm: lethargic in the morning, a burst of energy at lunch, a mass vanishing in the afternoon. It’s when the sun descends that Spain comes alive, fueled by hearty blends of Tempranillo, Mazuelo, Graciano, and Garnacha....
Travel is ZEN
When I travel, I attain a sudden wellspring of patience and tolerance and humility that escapes me on the gerbil wheel of the daily grind. This short story explains the title of Travel Is Zen.
Travel is ZEN.
"The River Bears Witness"
My attempt at creative fictional writing, inspired by my hometown of Franklin, Pennsylvania.