Home
Stories
About
Search
Follow us!
Photo:
Krystina Castella
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Read On!
Photo:
Krystina Castella
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Arts, Adventure and The Chain of Lakes
Krystina Castella
Minneapolis, Minnesota, is a dynamic city known for its vibrant arts scene, adventure in natural landscapes, and over the top shopping opportunities. Attractions include...
Featured
Photo:
Krystina Castella
Barn Quilts
Folk Art of America’s Heartland
Krystina Castella
If you are looking for an excuse for a road trip head out to discover the grassroots movement of barn quilts. A form of American folk art barn quilts are painted wood or metal squares that ...
Photo:
Krystina Castella
Shotgun Houses
The colorful vibe of a community
Krystina Castella
Shotgun Houses, the iconic, colorful homes scattered throughout the American South stand out in New Orleans because of the overt personalization. Through color ...
Photo:
Krystina Castella
Huntington Beach Play
Risky Muddy Fun
Krystina Castella
Huntington Beach Adventure Playground is for families seeking an outdoor play area that encourages creativity, physical activity, and adventurous play. In the heart of Huntington Central Park, this park offers ...
Photo:
Krystina Castella
Amana Colonies, Iowa
America’s longest-lived Communal Society
Krystina Castella
Have you ever heard of the home electronics brand Amada? Its roots have very humble beginnings with a community established around utopian ...
Photo:
Brian Boyl
Palo Duro Canyon State Park
Canyon, Texas
Krystina Castella
The second largest canyon in the US is in the Texas panhandle, just south of Amarillo: Palo Duro Canyon. Home of some fascinating conflicts in the westward expansion, the canyon now feels like ...
Photo:
Krystina Castella
Las Vegas
An Oasis in the Desert
Krystina Castella
After weeks of camping and living in dirt showing up with a mud-covered SUV to the glitz, lights and artificial environments of Vegas is just what we need. In nature ...
Play
Photo:
Krystina Castella
Lakeshore Bike Trail
Chicago, Illinois
Krystina Castella
Upon arrival in Chicago on a sunny summer afternoon, we experienced the city at its best. Driving up along Lakeshore Drive we saw residents pour out of their apartments to enjoy the beautiful ...
Photo:
Krystina Castella
Children’s Garden, Huntington
Pasadena, California
Krystina Castella
If you find yourself in Pasadena on a warm day with children under seven treat yourself to the enchanted environment of the Children’s Garden at the Huntington.Enter through a tiny blue door into a whimsical landscape to ...
Photo:
Krystina Castella
Huntington Beach Play
Risky Muddy Fun
Krystina Castella
Huntington Beach Adventure Playground is for families seeking an outdoor play area that encourages creativity, physical activity, and adventurous play. In the heart of Huntington Central Park, this park offers ...
Photo:
Brian Boyl
Gooseberry Mesa
Slickrock mountain biking
Krystina Castella
Over 20 years ago we walked into the only bike shop in Springdale, Utah, an undeveloped town, right outside of Zion National Park. We asked if there was any good biking around. The owner told us that recently some guys went up to the top of the mesa a few miles away and painted dots on the slickrock and made bike paths. It sounded ...
Photo:
Krystina Castella
Central Park, NY
Experiencing NY Through Play
Krystina Castella
In the middle of Manhattan’s concrete grid, CentralPark opens like a playground for all. Olmsted and Vaux designed it...
Photo:
Krystina Castella
Eugene T. Mahoney State Park
On the Platte River, Nebraska
Krystina Castella
Eugene T. Mahoney State Park, on the Platte River near Ashland, Nebraska, offers an outdoor experience with a wide array activities and natural beauty. The aquatic center features
Nature
Photo:
Krystina Castella
Saddlebag Lake
Sierra Nevada Mountains
Krystina Castella
Saddlebag Lake, located at an elevation of 10,087 feet in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California, is a hidden gem. Just a short drive from Yosemite National Park’s eastern entrance, this alpine lake is part of the
Photo:
Krystina Castella
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Two billion years in the making
Krystina Castella
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, located in western Colorado, is characterized by its sheer, dramatic cliffs with the Gunnison River carving through the landscape. The park's is renowned for its steep
Photo:
Krystina Castella
Mammoth Lakes
Transforms with the seasons
Krystina Castella
Mammoth Lakes, in California's Eastern Sierras, is a rustic resort town surrounded by stunning landscapes, that transform dramatically with the seasons. In the summer
Photo:
Krystina Castella
Savannah's Parks & Waterways
Put on your walking shoes
Krystina Castella
Savannah is a great walking town. A stroll around will take you to twenty-two ecological diverse neighborhood parks and ...
Photo:
Krystina Castella
Montaña de Oro State Park
Mountain of Gold
Krystina Castella
Montaña de Oro State Park, spanning over 8,000 acres along California’s central coast, has rugged cliffs, secluded sand dunes, beaches, coastal plains, streams...
Photo:
Krystina Castella
Assateague National Seashore
It is all about the Horses!
Krystina Castella
If you’ve ever wanted to spend the day sitting on the beach watching herds of wild horses play in the waves Assateague National Seashore is ...
Art & Design
Photo:
Krystina Castella
Murals of New Orleans
Krystina Castella
We arrived in New Orleans on a cold overcast day and stumbled upon an explosion of color. Art expressing the history, culture and people of the community. Publicly funded murals, sanctioned street art and graffiti are ...
Photo:
Krystina Castella
Art Institute of Chicago
An Impressive Collection
Krystina Castella
Visitors to the Art Institute Chicago, the USA’s 2nd largest art museum are greeted by their famous iconic lions. Inside guests engage in the one million square feet of ...
Photo:
Krystina Castella
Mt. Rushmore & Crazy Horse
The Black Hills, South Dakota
Krystina Castella
The Black Hills of South Dakota is a region steeped in natural beauty and historical significance. Mount Rushmore National Monument and the Crazy Horse Memorial are two monumental sculptural attractions that sometimes jut out and sometimes ...
Photo:
Krystina Castella
Murals of Cincinnati
If walls could speak
Krystina Castella
Cincinnati is a city in transformation that cares about the community through investing in art! It is home to a vibrant collection of ...
Photo:
Krystina Castella
Museum International Folk Art
By the people. For the people
Krystina Castella
The Museum of International Folk Art is my favorite place to visit in Santa Fe. The anchor exhibit Multiple Visions: A Common Bond is an immense collection of toys, travel souvenirs, street art, miniatures, ceramics, textiles and just about anything that can be categorized as folk art. The 10,000 pieces on display were ...
Photo:
Krystina Castella
Pappajohn Sculpture Park
Des Moines, Iowa
Krystina Castella
We arrived at the Pappajohn Sculpture Park and were excited to see one of the most impressive collections of modern sculpture in the country. More than two dozen large sculptures made by internationally acclaimed artists ...
Cities & Towns
Photo:
Krystina Castella
San Diego, CA
Zoos, Tide Pools & Torrey Pines
Krystina Castella
San Diego, California's second-largest city, is known for its pleasant climate, 70 miles of pristine beaches and the zoos. Balboa Park, home to the San Diego Zoo, is a cultural hub with 17 museums, botanical gardens, and the historic
Photo:
Krystina Castella
June Lake
A Serene Alpine Environment
Krystina Castella
June Lake offers outdoor adventures and natural beauty throughout the year. Located just a short drive from Mammoth Lakes, June Lake is a destination for those seeking both summer and winter activities ...
Photo:
Krystina Castella
Charleston, South Carolina
Get lost in Southern Charm
Krystina Castella
Our first impression of Charleston, South Carolina was that this is a city that understands its quaint beauty. Although the Charleston ...
Photo:
Krystina Castella
Palm Beach, FL
Florida Glamour
Krystina Castella
Palm Beach, Florida, is known for its beaches, arts scene, upscale shopping experiences and historical landmarks. Worth Avenue, often compared to Beverly Hills’ Rodeo Drive, is Palm Beach’s premier...
Photo:
Brian Boyl
New Orleans, LA
"The Big Easy"
Krystina Castella
New Orleans, also known as "The Big Easy," invokes the laid back atmosphere, that evolved along the Mississippi River in Louisiana. Its diverse cultures, music scene, architecture and cuisine are
Photo:
Krystina Castella
Las Vegas
An Oasis in the Desert
Krystina Castella
After weeks of camping and living in dirt showing up with a mud-covered SUV to the glitz, lights and artificial environments of Vegas is just what we need. In nature ...
Roadside Attractions
Photo:
Krystina Castella
Carhenge: Alliance, Nebraska
Stumble upon a roadside treasure
Krystina Castella
When driving through Nebraska on Highway 87 the hours can pass by slowly as corn and hay dominate the landscape. However, just outside of ...
Photo:
Krystina Castella
Blue Ridge Parkway
The Appalachian Mountains
Krystina Castella
Driving the Blue Ridge Parkway is a journey through the natural and cultural heritage of the Appalachian Mountains. The road stretches 469 miles from Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina with many ...
Photo:
Krystina Castella
Avila Valley Barn
Avila Beach
Krystina Castella
Avila Valley Barn, at Avila Beach area of California’s Central Coast, captures the essence of farm-fresh goodness. Established as a family-owned and operated farm, The location invites visitors to step into a world of wholesome
Photo:
Krystina Castella
William Taft Historic Site
History and Décor
Krystina Castella
Visiting the childhood homes of well know figures tells us a bit more about the environments that shaped their character and philosophy. On a quest for ...
Photo:
Krystina Castella
Scotts Bluff National Monument
Gering, Nebraska
Krystina Castella
As the great plains give way to the foothills of the Rockies along the North Platte River, the first outcroppings of the foothills are a set of bluffs in Western Nebraska called Scotts Bluff. Named after a fur trader ...
Photo:
Krystina Castella
Cadillac Ranch
Amarillo, TX
Krystina Castella
Cadillac Ranch, outside of Amarillo, TX, is something between art and a roadside attraction. The installation created in the 70’s by land artists ...
Articles
Photo:
Krystina Castella
Florida Love
Favorites of the Sunshine State
Krystina Castella
Florida and California (where we live) have many commonalities. We both have oranges, palm trees, beautiful and sunny warm weather in winter. However, there are many differences that draw us back to visit Florida ...
Photo:
Krystina Castella
All About Hay
Golden Pixels in the Landscape
Krystina Castella
In the American prairie states hay is hard to miss. Golden pixels in the landscape in many shapes and sizes. I decided to find out as you never know when I will need to whip out these facts at a dinner party or if a student develops a project around horses or cows ...
Photo:
Krystina Castella
Campground Christmas
A Summertime Celebration
Krystina Castella
Celebrating Christmas is merry. The decorating, the music, the sweets. A full month of diversion from the everyday filled with the excitement of the season. But in July? While camping? To our surprise Christmas was uncovered at Ledges State Park in Iowa. From the park’s name we expected sandstone rock ledges, a flowing creek and lush trees nestled...
Photo:
Krystina Castella
Stars & Stripes
A Familiar Image
Krystina Castella
As America reaches its 250th anniversary, the American flag feels as familiar and meaningful as ever. It appears everywhere: at street festivals, on porches, in parades, on trucks, in shop windows, along roadsides, and in neighborhoods across the country.
Photo:
Krystina Castella
CicLAvia
Welcome Back!
Krystina Castella
On an average day for the average person biking in LA is not easy. There is traffic to navigate and distance to cover. At CicLAvia (Inspired by Bogotá’s weekly ciclovía) restrictions fade and we experience a glimpse at what Los Angeles could be like if our city was car free. We see neighborhoods that are ...
Photo:
Krystina Castella
Junior Rangers
A playful way to explore the parks
Krystina Castella
There they were. Two inspired children on a mission, storming through the visitor’s center doors of Fort Necessity National Battlefield just outside of Pittsburg. They proudly showcased their achievements all over their clothing. As they made their way to the front desk, they enthusiastically asked the ranger on duty, “Do you have Junior Ranger booklets?” These kids were...
