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Travel Tales: A Wing and a Prayer

With the sky-high airfare and insane service fees, airlines have become the target of many travelers ire. Airplanes, on the other hand, still hold a special place in some people’s hearts, including Darren and Katie McWalters. The newlyweds say they are die-hard flyers and to prove it they recently exchanged wedding vows 1,000 feet above the earth strapped to the top of biplanes. The 23-year-old bride reportedly took to the skies dressed in her white wedding gown perched on the top wing of red-and-white plane operated by a group of stunt pilots. Meanwhile, her 24-year-old groom flew by her side … Continue reading →

Real Life Travel Tales: Putting the Brakes on Summer Escapes

We’ve all been there before: We’re running late for work, school or a doctor’s appointment and we try to make up for lost time by putting the pedal to the metal. Typically, that excuse doesn’t fly when pleading your case to the police officer that just clocked you exceeding the speed limit. So what happens if Smokey clocks you going nearly 110 mph and then catches up with you again during another travel related incident? A couple from Maine will tell you that it doesn’t make for a good day. According to police in Bangor, Maine, officers pulled over a … Continue reading →

Sunday Travel Funnies: The Power of Prayer

On this day set aside for prayer and thoughtful reflection I thought it would be appropriate to blog about the way some people are combining God and travel. In St. Louis, Missouri a group of avid travelers will be offering two prayer services at area gas stations to thank God for lower fuel prices and to ask that they continue to drop. I’m not kidding. Darrell Alexander, Midwest co-chair of the “Pray at the Pump” movement, says prayer gatherings will be held tomorrow afternoon and evening at a Mobil station west of downtown St. Louis. Alexander says he and a … Continue reading →

Sunday Travel Funnies: It’s All How You Look at It

What would you think if you were driving down a suburban street and found yourself at the end of a radar gun… being held by an 11-year-old? Would you slow down? Drivers in Louisville, Kentucky have. In fact, so many motorists have laid off the gas pedal when they see young Landon Wilburn that he has made front page news across the country. Since police can’t be everywhere, the enterprising boy took matters into his own hands. According to Wilburn, speeding motorists were out of control in his Louisville subdivision and when he shouts to drivers to slow down didn’t … Continue reading →

Sunday Travel Funnies: Granny Puts Pedal to the Metal and Pilots Ask for God’s Help to Land Safely

If you think senior citizens live life in the slow lane you haven’t met 96-year-old Edith Pittenger. The great-great-grandmother made history last week becoming the oldest driver to ever gun it around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Pittenger, an Indiana native, took the trip around the famous racetrack in a two-seater Dallara with driver Arie Luyendyk Jr. and reached speeds of nearly 200 mph. No, she’s not trying to become the next Danica Patrick; rather the ride was part of the Indy Racing Experience–a Christmas gift Pittenger received from her children. The anything but slow senior started attending the Indianapolis 500 … Continue reading →

Top Reasons to Visit Branson, Missouri

I’ve traveled to Missouri dozens of times (in college I dated a guy who attended Drury University) and while I’ve visited some of the “Show Me State’s” most popular attractions I was still a bit taken aback by a recent statistic that made headlines regarding Branson, Missouri. The family-friendly Ozark resort town, which is known for its country music roots, attracted more than 8 million visitors to the area last year alone. So what’s the draw? I’ve compiled this list of reasons why people from around the world are putting Branson at the top of their must-visit lists: Affordable. Branson … Continue reading →

Travel Tidbits: The Merry Month of May… Maybe

HAWAII May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii. And this year visitors to the 50th State were given a chance to help the Islands make history. A call out was sent to hotels on the Hawaiian Island of Oahu asking tourists to team up with locals to help create the world’s longest lei. Thousands gathered at Kapiolani Park in Waikiki today to string together a flower garland that stretched for more than a mile. When all was said and done the lei measured 5,336 feet in length and video, photos and witness statements documenting the project will be sent to … Continue reading →

Sunny Travel Funnies—-Cross Country Crack-Ups

It’s been a while since I wrote my last installment of the Sunday Travel Funnies, but this week it’s back… with some major crack-ups. We begin in Jacksonville, Florida where a driver there caused an accident that would no doubt have Bill Cosby shaking his head. According to police, a truck driver narrowly escaped serious injury (he did sustain injuries but has since been released from the hospital) this week when his truck smashed into another vehicle and flipped over on a local highway spilling thousands of Jell-O snack packs on I-95. Police say the truck driver lost control of … Continue reading →

Gazing at the “Gateway City”

St. Louis, Missouri may have earned the nickname “Gateway City” because it once served as a gateway to other parts of the country. However, once you begin your tour of the booming metropolis you might just find yourself wanting to stay a while. Thanks to a massive multi-million dollar renovation project downtown St. Louis is now home to a new entertainment district, refurbished parks, new condos, luxurious hotels and hip restaurants. Still, the top tourist draw is still the Gateway Arch. The structure, which rises 160 feet into the St. Louis sky, is the city’s crown jewel. Eero Saarinen crafted … Continue reading →

Mardi Gras in Missouri

I’m still in shock. As I was going through my new calendar today I noticed that we are only about a month away from Mardi Gras. Fat Tuesday falls on February 5th this year. Fat Tuesday then Ash Wednesday and before long it’ll be Easter… and we’re still celebrating Christmas in our home. My daughter is up to the ninth day of Christmas and happily belted out what her true love gave to her earlier today as she eagerly awaits the Epiphany and the gifts she’ll get to open on Three Kings Day. But, back to Mardi Gras. If you … Continue reading →