Matador Network's Blog, page 609
July 28, 2021
This new road trip planner takes all the organization out of your vacation
Global travel search engine Skyscanner partnered up with Inspirock, a free trip itinerary planner, to create the ultimate tool to aid travelers on their next journey behind the wheel. The new online tool, called Road Trips, can plan any road trip throughout the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, and Australia.
“We’ve created the ultimate tool for personalized road trips,” Anoop Goyal, CEO, and co-founder of Inspirock, said in a statement. “Travelers today seek more than just the logistics of where to stay and the best route to get from A to B and B to C — they want to make the most of their precious holiday time by maximizing their enjoyment of activities and experiences along the way, and that are tailored to them.”
This tool gives you every piece of information that you need when planning a road trip. Based on the goal of your vacations, you can choose from four themes: family, culture, outdoors, and romantic. This road trip planner does it all for you — it provides rental car options, places to stay, and activities during your trip so you don’t have to worry about anything.
Examples of Skyscanner’s road trip vacation include picturesque tours for families from New York City to Concord and Plymouth, and romantic trips for couples from New York City to Wildwood and Ocean City.
No matter where you’re going, Road Trips has a planned vacation for you. If you’re ready to hop in the car, head to Skyscanner’s website to plan your trip with ease. 
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Ingredients like hot sauce, cheese, and lobster are taking over ice cream shops
On a recent trip to Bar Harbor, Maine I came across a very unusual sighting. A sign outside of Ben & Bill’s Chocolate Emporium that said the establishment offered lobster ice cream. I thought at first that it was an ice cream which incorporated lobster gummy candies that you see all over New England or maybe some kind of generic sea salt flavor. Eager to satiate my curiosity, I stopped inside the shop and discovered that it’s filled with actual lobster meat. Such an unusual combination of savory and sweet flavors got me thinking about how experimental ice cream flavors have become in the past several years — ditching everyday vanilla and opting for spices, savory options, and even sometimes sprinkling in local ingredients — like lobster — that aren’t intuitive centerpieces of a dessert.
The lobster ice cream at Ben & Bill’s Chocolate Emporium is certainly one of the most innovative flavors I’ve come across so far.
“In the early 80s, a couple from New York came into Ben & Bill’s Chocolate Emporium and wanted chocolate peanut butter fudge which I didn’t have at the time,” Bill Coggins, one of the owners along with his brother, Ben, tells me. Bill told them to come back, and in the meantime made the couple a batch of fudge. They were thrilled.
“I joked, do we get a 10 rating now?” Bill says, “and the couple said no you get a 9 because there’s nothing with lobster.” Bill laughed and said, “Come back tomorrow and we’ll fix that.” He decided to make lobster ice cream for them as a joke but the couple loved it. Bill says he and his brother get a lot of ideas for new sweets to feature at the shop from customers. Since they make the majority of the candies and all of the ice cream from scratch, it’s easy for them to experiment with recipes.
I had to try the lobster ice cream for myself. Delicious, melted butter is the ideal partner for steamed local lobster, and flavors of the ice cream reflect that. It’s a butter pecan base ice cream made with real butter and fresh Maine lobster.
“We kept the flavor on the menu and once Paul Harvey, a well-known radio show host in the 80s, mentioned the odd flavor on air after visiting the shop on vacation.,” explains Bill. “It really became popular after that.”
Photo: Jess Kelly
Ben & Bill’s Chocolate Emporium is just one among many specialty sweets shops innovating and experimenting in the realm of ice cream. Often, ice cream shops play with ingredients that reflect the local geography, creating desserts that are homages to the regions where they are available. For instance, in Gilroy, California, known as the garlic capital of the world, Marianne’s Ice Cream Shop whips up a chocolate-based garlic ice cream for the annual Garlic Festival in California’s Santa Clara County.
Travel to the United States’ opposite coast, and you’ll find ice cream flavors that seem equally as baffling but have found a loyal audience. Buffalo, New York, is known for its wings and the owners of Lake Effect Ice Cream, Erik Bernardi and Jason Wulf, came up with a flavor called Medium, Extra Creamy in 2019, a play on a popular wings order: medium, extra crispy (the medium refers to the wings’ heat level).
No, there’s not chicken scattered throughout or even blue cheese, but the wing ice cream packs a punch: The bright orange vanilla ice cream is flavored with Frank’s RedHot sauce. Lake Effect also sells a butter lamb flavor around Easter, a nod to the lamb shaped butter sculptures that are often a centerpiece of Easter dinner.
Rather than be revolted by these unusual ice cream flavors, most customers remain curious and open-minded — which gives ice cream makers more fuel and motivation to keep experimenting with new ingredients. Lauren Guptill, founder of Rococo Ice Cream in Kennebunkport, Maine, consistently invents delicious flavors that you won’t find anywhere else in the country.
The shop has developed some truly wacky flavors over time, like banana red hot, goat cheese blackberry chambord, strawberry habanero, blueberry chipotle, and sweet avocado cayenne to name a few.
“Sometimes I think my flavor creation process must be similar for all artists, musicians, and creative types. I think of my ice creams as works of art, and just like an artist is never truly done with a painting, my ice creams are also continuously evolving,” Guptill says.
These flavors grab people’s attention, but most of them transcend the level of marketing stunts — shops like Rococo Ice Cream have developed a loyal following. It doesn’t seem like people are exhausted yet by increasingly unexpected ice cream flavors that defy the limits of what a dessert can be. Instead, people crave the surprise of ingredients like cheese, peppers, and even lobster. Basic chocolate and vanilla might be classics that will never go away — but American ice cream innovators seem especially keen to prove that ice cream is capable of so much more.
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Following successful gorilla rejuvenation, Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park is expanding
For the second time in three years, Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park is slated for expansion to serve its growing mountain gorilla population. The announcement signals hopeful news for the endangered species, which was once projected to be extinct by the millennium.
According to the World Wildlife Fund, there are currently around 1,000 mountain gorillas, a subspecies of the eastern gorilla, left on the planet. They’re concentrated in the highlands bordering Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. More than half of the world’s population inhabits the Virunga Mountains, where Volcanoes National Park is located in northwestern Rwanda, alongside Virunga National Park in Uganda and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in the DRC. The rest are found in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Though the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) still classifies mountain gorillas as an endangered species, the past decade has revealed a positive trend for the survival of the great apes. Research from 2016 recorded a 20 percent growth in the Virunga range’s mountain gorilla population since 2010, rising from 480 to 604 gorillas. Accordingly, in 2018, the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) approved a $200 million expansion of Volcanoes National Park.
The aim of this project was threefold: to accommodate the great apes, to increase tourism, and to create new infrastructure and opportunities for local communities. Now, the RDB and Rwandan government have announced plans to extend the park by an additional 40 square miles.
The forthcoming expansion will serve two purposes: Roughly 15 square miles will be added to the park to prevent conflicts over territory and resources among the different gorilla groups that live there, thereby discouraging gorillas from leaving the park. The remaining square mileage will create a “buffer zone” between the park and its surrounding communities. Agriculture and agroforestry, a land-management system that reaps the biological benefits of integrating trees and shrubs into crop and animal farming practices, will be permitted in this approximately 25-square-mile zone.
It remains to be seen how the latest expansion project will impact tourism, but more mountain gorillas likely means more gorilla safaris. Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park is one of the primary drivers of tourism to Rwanda, and permit sales, which cost $1,500 per person, are an essential source of revenue for the Rwandan government.
It’s a considerable expense for travelers, but walking among Volcanoes National Park’s mountain gorillas is one wildlife adventure that’s worth squirreling away to experience. Beyond bushwhacking through the dense foliage of the Virunga Mountains to observe gorillas in their natural habitat, park visitors can also walk in the footsteps of famed primatologist Dian Fossey by visiting the Karisoke research camp, where she lived among Rwanda’s great apes for nearly 20 years. Some safaris also track the park’s golden monkeys, which coexist with gorillas and other wildlife such as buffalos, hyenas, and 178 bird species.
Travel to Rwanda, like everywhere, has been touch-and-go during the pandemic. Not only have restrictions been imposed to contain the spread of COVID-19 among humans, but precautionary measures have also been implemented to prevent transmission to the great apes. They were discovered to be susceptible to infection after three gorillas in the San Diego Zoo Safari Park tested positive for the coronavirus.
Though the US State Department currently warns against travel to Rwanda due to COVID-19, flights to Kigali International Airport have resumed, and the country is officially open for tourism. Now may not be the ideal time to book a last-minute gorilla safari, but with the encouraging growth of the mountain gorilla population in recent years, tourism is bound to surge once the expansion project is complete and gorilla trekking is safe for all parties involved.
Start saving up now because when that time comes, it’s going to be pretty magical to see how Rwanda’s great apes thrive in the newly extended Volcanoes National Park.
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How to plan a cheap, last-minute vacation to Martha’s Vineyard
Martha’s Vineyard, the largest island off the coast of Massachusetts, might conjure up images of pastel-clad bluebloods sipping bourbon and smoking cigars on multi-million-dollar sailboats, but this island is much more than a playground for the East Coast elite. For nature lovers, the Vineyard is blessed with some of New England’s most well-preserved forests, lagoons, and beaches — in fact, about 40 percent of the island is protected open space. The history and culture of the island’s townships are equally compelling draws: Edgartown’s opulent architecture from its heyday as a whaling capital, a time and place immortalized in Melville’s Moby Dick; Oak Bluffs’ special place in African-American history as one of the first tourist destinations to welcome Black vacationers; and Aquinnah as the ancestral home of the Indigenous Wampanoag people. The following four-day itinerary shows you how to enjoy the delights of this special island without the need to liquidate your 401(k).
How to get to Martha’s Vineyard
Photo: Steamship Authority/Facebook
The most popular way to get to the Vineyard is via the Steamship Authority ($19 roundtrip), a ferry from Woods Hole, MA, a town on Cape Cod about 30 minutes by car from Boston. You can either park your car in one of the long-term lots in Woods Hole (about $15 per day during the summer) or drive it onto the Steamship Authority. (Note: the cost to take a car onboard varies depending on size, but most vehicles cost about $100 to ferry. Make sure to make vehicle reservations as far in advance as possible, especially during the busy summer months.) No car? No problem. Buses to Woods Hole depart daily from Boston’s South Station. Alternatively, you can catch a ferry from the town of Hyannis on Cape Cod ($63 roundtrip) or even from New York City ($240 roundtrip). The Vineyard has a small airport, and Cape Air flies to the island from most cities in the Northeast.
Lodging
Photo: Isabelle’s Beach House/Facebook
If you are looking to keep your budget in check, Vineyard Harbor Motel ($185 per night), located right by the Steamship Authority ferry terminal, and Isabelle’s Beach House ($210 per night), right in Oak Bluffs, are among the Island’s most affordable lodgings. Even better, both are located about equidistant to Edgartown and the Vineyard’s western coast. Martha’s Vineyard Family Campground ($60 per night), near Vineyard Haven, overlooks the water and is a terrific option if you plan to stay in a tent or RV. Public buses to all corners of the island are easily accessible from all aforementioned lodgings. Additionally, the island has several affordable Airbnbs and bed-and-breakfasts. This cottage in Oak Bluffs ($200 per night) and this apartment in Tisbury ($250 per night) are centrally located and rank high in reviews. For the extreme budget traveler, there’s an active community of Couchsurfing hosts on the Vineyard.
Getting around the island
Photo: jo Crebbin/Shutterstock
The easiest way to explore Martha’s Vineyard is by car. If you don’t take your vehicle on the Steamship Authority, there are car rentals agencies at Martha’s Vineyard Airport and in Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, and Vineyard Haven. Bike rentals are available all over the island, too, and the rides are gorgeous. Keep in mind that if traversing the island by bike, the distances can get long (two to three-hour rides). Even without a car or a bike, getting around the Vineyard by bus is a breeze. Simply purchase day passes for the Vineyard Transit Authority at the Steamship Authority terminal, the same place where you disembark from the ferry. One-day or multi-day passes are available for about $8 per day.
Day one: Edgartown
Photo: AR Pictures/Shutterstock
Edgartown, with its elegant clapboard houses and streets festooned with pink and blue hydrangeas, is one of the most beautiful towns in New England. Like the Plymouth Bay Colony, Edgartown was founded in the 17th century by English Puritans fleeing what they saw as the irredeemable moral and spiritual decay of Europe. The town grew wealthy and prosperous as a whaling hub in the 19th century, and nostalgic signs of its glorious past remain today. Many of the old houses in Edgartown have small, rooftop decks — known as widow’s watches — where the wives of whaling captains could watch the sea in the hopes that they might spy their beloved’s ship returning on the horizon.
Start the day in Edgartown with a perfectly crafted cup of joe at Behind the Bookstore off Main Street. The shady back patio, gently buzzing with conversation and the whir of espresso machines, is the ideal spot to linger with a good read from the eponymous bookstore. Edgartown is small enough to fully cover on foot, but with its many art galleries, funky shops, bakeries, and ice cream parlors, we recommend setting aside about three hours to explore.
Photo: Gary Alford/Shutterstock
To see Edgartown’s most beautiful houses and gardens, stroll up Water Street to Lighthouse Beach. Lighthouse Beach, inside Edgartown Harbor, is placid and scenic, but for a more exhilarating beach experience, head to Katama, about one mile outside of Edgartown on the Island’s south coast. Katama is usually packed during the summer months, and the waves here are notoriously large and powerful. If you have a Jeep or other off-road vehicle, take some air out of your tires, and join the scores of tailgating revelers at Katama’s Norton Point.
For an affordable but delicious meal of deep-fried seafood, look no further than the Quarterdeck, a dining counter right by Edgartown Harbor. Forget ketchup or tartar sauce for your fish-n-chips or fried clams; instead, do as the locals do and use malt vinegar for dunking. Dock Street Diner, a greasy spoon serving classic New England breakfasts like linguica omelets and corn beef hash, opens at 6:30 AM to nourish both outgoing fisherman and wobbly revelers returning from beach parties. Atria, an acclaimed Modern American restaurant on the island, is a gourmet tour de force of the bounty of the Vineyard’s land and waters. The main dining requires a reservation and makes for an expensive night, but Atria’s subterranean pub offers gourmet burgers and craft beer at reasonable prices.
Day two: Chappaquiddick
Photo: Raymond Douglas Ewing/Shutterstock
An island off an island, Chappaquiddick, affectionately dubbed Chappy, is just a short ride from Edgartown on the On-Time Ferry at Edgartown Harbor. Ferries depart every 15 minutes or so, and round-trip tickets are $4 for passengers without vehicles, $13 for cars and drivers, and $6 for bikes and riders. Since there are no buses on Chappy, we recommend renting a bike if you don’t have a car. Hitchhiking on Chappy is also common.
Unlike Edgartown, Chappy has little development. Most of Chappaquiddick’s land is protected under conservation laws, and the island is largely blanketed by forest. There is only one business on Chappy, a general store selling mostly fishing gear, and not a single traffic light appears anywhere on the small island. Mytoi, a traditional Zen garden deep in the heart of the island and open to the public, is a great hidden spot on Chappy.
Chappy’s best beaches require effort to reach, but intrepid visitors are rewarded with a seashore devoid of the crowds and congestion of Katama and other popular beaches near Edgartown. If you plan to spend the day on Chappy, it’s wise to bring snacks or a picnic basket, as the nearest restaurants are on the other side of the ferry in Edgartown. We recommend grabbing some wrapped sandwiches and cold drinks at Rosewater Market in Edgartown to bring over to Chappy.
After you work on your tan on a secluded Chappy beach, head back to Edgartown for a nocturnal bar crawl. Edgartown punches above its weight for nightlife during the summer months, and the section of Main Street by the harbor gets particularly rowdy after dark. The Atlantic, located right on the water, has great food, live music, and strong cocktails. To throw back a few pints in a well-worn dive bar among a mix of locals and tourists, check out The Wharf. Head to the Seafood Shanty for a younger atmosphere, riotous patio bar, and killer views of the harbor.
Day three: Oak Bluffs
Photo: Patrick F Infante/Shutterstock
Driving west from Edgartown along the shore, you reach Oak Bluffs in about 20 minutes. If Edgartown embodies the New England ideal of reserved opulence and understatement, Oak Bluffs, with its candy-colored gingerbread cottages, bustling game rooms, and lively streets, throws restraint to the wind.
Founded as a religious meeting ground and retreat in the late-19th century, Oak Bluffs was one of the only destinations on the East Coast to welcome African American vacationers before the end of segregation.
Start your exploration of Oak Bluffs at Ocean Park, the gazebo-adorned park in between the beach and the center of town. Oak Bluffs’ most iconic gingerbread houses — cozy, candy-colored Victorian cottages embellished with doily-like woodwork — dot the perimeter of Ocean Park. Walking tours of the gingerbread houses take you through Oak’s Bluffs’ shady streets, and occasionally the houses open to allow visitors to see the interiors as well.
Photo: Felix Lipov/Shutterstock
Circuit Avenue, the central street lined with bars, restaurants, and candy shops, is the beating heart of Oak Bluffs. The Flying Horses Carousel is one of the oldest functioning carousels in the US and a glorious example of Americana. Rides are only $3.50, and adults and children alike are welcome to take a spin. After dark, Circuit Avenue is the place to let go, with tourists and locals patronizing the slew of bars and live music venues. For a bumping bar scene and fun live music, you can’t go wrong at either Sharky’s Cantina and The Ritz Cafe on Circuit Avenue or Coop de Ville Restaurant located on the waterfront.
Oak Bluffs holds its own in terms of fine dining with establishments like Red Cat and the Sweet Life Cafe, but locally beloved no-frills eateries like Fat Ronnie’s Burgers or Stella Salumeria allow you to eat like a king without shelling out royal bucks. Head to Offshore Ale Company to sample some locally crafted nectar. If you have a sweet tooth, make sure not to leave Oak Bluffs without a cone of the decadently rich ice cream from Mad Martha’s, a cherished Vineyard institution. Order the aptly named Sinful Chocolate.
Day four: Tisbury and Aquinnah
Photo: Wandel Guides/Shutterstock
The Vineyard’s western reaches are referred to as “up-island,” a region of small farms, sleepy villages (even in the summer months), and commercial fishing. Menemsha, Aquinnah, and Chilmark are the principal up-island towns, small communities with little more than a post office, general store, and gas station. In dramatic contrast to Edgartown and Oak Bluffs, the rhythm of life changes little between the summer and the off-season in these towns; businesses here stay open all year round, and the vibe is more local than touristy.
The up-island Tisbury Farmers Market, active on Saturdays, showcases the island’s cornucopia of fruits and vegetables, cheeses, honey, mushrooms, locally raised meat, and more. The Tisbury Farmers Market is also one of the best places to sample prepared food from some of the island’s most creative cooks operating out of food stalls.
Photo: Allan Wood Photography/Shutterstock
A strong case can be made that Aquinnah, Martha’s Vineyard’s western peninsula, has the most beautiful beaches on the entire island. With red clay cliffs tracing a wide stretch of sand for miles and rolling waves as clear as glass, Aquinnah is nothing short of spectacular. Much of the land in Aquinnah, including the beaches, belongs to Wampanoag Nation (they request that visitors enjoy the beach without removing clay from their cliffs).
Since accessing the beach requires a decent walk, we recommend bringing a picnic basket if you plan to spend the day here. You can procure sandwiches and prepared food from the Aquinnah Shop, next to the town’s iconic red-brick lighthouse. A warning before hiking down to the beach: a certain stretch is designated as clothing-optional, and many beachgoers do, in fact, take advantage of the opportunity to get a more complete tan.
After a day enjoying the sunshine of Aquinnah, make the short drive up to the fishing town of Menemsha for dinner. The street leading to Menemsha’s harbor is lined with fish markets selling oysters, clam chowder, lobster rolls, and seafood specialties with a Portuguese flair, a nod to the large number of fishermen claiming Azorean descent. A hearty meal of chowder, bread, and fruits of the sea will probably not run you more than $30, unless you order a whole steamed lobster. Grab a paper plate of absurdly fresh oysters, garnished with horseradish and marinara sauce, a bowl of rich clam chowder, and an overstuffed lobster roll from Larson’s Fish Market. There are no tables per se, but the wooden crates behind the market work just fine for dining. Better yet, walk the short distance to the pier and enjoy your meal while watching the sun slowly drop into the Atlantic.
Photo: CJ Larsen/Shutterstock
If you stick around Menemsha long enough, you might even find someone with a boat who is willing to ferry you over to Cuttyhunk, the western-most outpost on the barely-inhabited Elizabeth Islands. Cuttyhunk’s population is officially only 52 souls, nonetheless, there are places of lodging, a restaurant or two, and quiet beaches on the island worth exploring.
The post How to plan a cheap, last-minute vacation to Martha’s Vineyard appeared first on Matador Network.
Discover yourself: Travel by RV
There’s a reason we fall in love with travel. It’s why children imagine their treehouse an observation deck deep in the jungle, or the local sledding hill a Himalayan peak. It’s why teenagers plaster their suburban bedrooms with maps and posters, and why so many of us — the very moment we’re able — strike out for places unknown.
A love of travel is born from the magnetism of the new and unexplored. From the next valley over, or just past the bend in the river, from far-off shores or just two states away, the urge to travel rings like a siren song, impossible to ignore, calling us toward the horizon.
The common adage that “travel is the only expense in life that makes you richer” is unquestionably true. Each trip leaves us more complete, more compassionate, more creative, and more eager than ever to chart a new course.
There are plenty of ways to satisfy this wanderlust, from a backpacking adventure to a jet-set tour abroad. But there is perhaps no journey more romantic, inspiring, challenging, or rewarding than to travel the open road. For true wanderers, those who see travel as a path to discovery and enrichment, an RV is the ultimate ticket that never expires. Here’s why.
Discover: your passion
Photo: Tyler Cave
Whatever you love, you might love it even more from an RV. If you’re into birdwatching, rock climbing, plein air art, music festivals, whitewater rafting, or anything else, an RV gives you easy access to settings others may have trouble reaching.
RVs simplify travel. There are fewer logistics: no luggage transfers, hotels, or rental cars to contend with. In an RV, you’re free to focus on the journey, allowing your passions and curiosities to guide you along the way. A bonus: If your hobby requires gear, you have an RV’s ample storage space at your disposal. This means you can bring everything you need to pursue your passion, whether that’s climbing harnesses, kayaks, photography equipment, art supplies, or all of the above. Try fitting all that into a carry-on!
If you’re not yet sure exactly what your passions are, RV travel can help you find them. The best road trips leave room in the itinerary for exploration. You can stop whenever and wherever there’s something worth stopping for. Use your flexible schedule as an opportunity to try something new! As you pass through cities and small towns, do some research about local goings-on. Stick around an extra day to attend a summer festival, take a climbing lesson on the local crag, or join a birdwatching group for a hike. Seek out new experiences — it’s how passions are sparked and it’s why travel makes us richer.
Discover: your community
Photo: Amon Barker
By its very nature, RV travel is a group activity — even if you’re going solo. While people who travel the open road tend to be independent and capable, they also form strong bonds with others along the way. Think about it — some of the best and longest friendships are often forged on our travels.
To that end, there’s a vast array of RV meetup groups, clubs, and membership organizations for travelers of all kinds. Bonding over the thrill of the open road, groups like Escapees RV Club and the North American Family Campers Association host massive annual get-togethers. There are online communities like RVillage, a dedicated social network for RV travelers. There are even countless special interest groups like the Tin Can Tourists, who travel in restored vintage trailers, and the National Square Dance Campers Association for RVers who love to, well, you get it.
If you haven’t figured out which organizations are right for you, a good place to start is with the nation’s largest RV club, Good Sam. Members save on campground fees and fuel, get discounts at Camping World and Gander RV & Outdoors stores, share tips and learn from each other, and much more.
Even without joining a formal club, you’ll find that RVing itself is a community — and a welcoming, inclusive one at that. RVers are diverse, presenting travelers with the opportunity to engage and learn about all kinds of people from all walks of life. It’s hard not to make friends as you explore. Whether it’s just fellow regulars at your favorite Good Sam campground, folks traveling the country on a similar route, or a specialty group with a shared passion, RVing is an ideal way to find like-minded people.
These relationships can be valuable, especially if you’re new to the RV travel lifestyle. Wherever you go, you’ll find fellow RVers who are willing to lend a hand, answer questions, and talk about their rig. In short, you’re never truly alone on the road.
Discover: yourself
Photo: Blaze Nowara
Often, the greatest joy of exploring new places is the way you get to know yourself along the way. RV travel presents constant challenges and victories, allowing you to uncover more about the kind of person you truly are, fostering personal growth.
At some point, things will almost certainly go wrong — tires go flat, campgrounds fill up, and very few road-trip itineraries unfold precisely as planned. But learning to be flexible, to problem-solve, and to embrace the unexpected will show you exactly what you’re capable of. Plus, it’s always worth it in the end. There’s no sweeter reward than making it to a perfect campsite just in time to watch the sunset over an epic landscape. When you’re traveling in an RV, moments like that happen all the time. (And no trip is complete without a good story to tell around the campfire!)
Travel of any kind can push you out of your comfort zone, and it can be particularly intimidating to jump into an RV for the first time. But the most exciting thing about travel (and the reason so many of us love it!) is the thrill of the unknown. Find your RV, pick a spot on the map, and go explore. You may discover a new hobby or a new friend. But perhaps your greatest discovery will be what you want your life — and next adventure — to look like.
The post How RV travel helps you find your passion, your community, and yourself appeared first on Matador Network.
July 27, 2021
Watch: This Olympic Rugby player shows off the perks of living in the Olympic Village on Tik Tok
There’s no doubt the life of an Olympic athlete is very busy, what with, you know, trying to win an Olympic gold medal and all. But some athletes are using Tik Tok to document their lives at the Olympic Village, including rugby player Cody Melphy competing for the United States.
Melphy’s Tik Tok of “things that just make sense” in the Olympic village has gone viral at 3.2 million likes. He shows off some perks like the giant dining hall that’s open 24/7 to feed some 10,000 athletes, autonomous buses to get around the village from their housing that’s separated by country, and free stuff like the Coca-Cola machine.
@codymelphyOlympic Village insider edition 👀 #tokyo2020 #olympics #teamusa #olympicvillage
Melphy also took a tour for viewers around the dining hall, which has two floors with tons of options. There’s a Japanese station, a pizza and pasta station, a salad bar and dessert station, and plenty more.
@codymelphyReply to @finnthewizard the food is 🔥 in the village #tokyoolympics #tokyo2020 #olympics #usarugby #teamusa #olympicvillage
Some viewers found out the athletes are sleeping on beds with cardboard frames. Melphy decided to put some rest to rumors that the beds are made out of cardboard to keep people from having sex. Even though he says the rumors are false, he did break his frame in the process so, careful Melphy.
@codymelphyReply to @thejorgeromero I broke the cardboard bed… #tokyoolympics #tokyo2020 #olympics
♬ Opportunity – Quvenzhané Wallis
Looks like the Olympic Village is even more fun than we thought it was.
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Win a chance to see the best meteor shower of the year in a Dark Sky Sanctuary
Although the Perseid meteor shower has already begun, Reno Tahoe wants you to have the best view possible. You and a friend could win a two-night trip to Massacre Rim, one of the darkest places on the planet and a dedicated Dark Sky Sanctuary. This trip will be far from the light pollution of any major city, allowing you to catch the best view possible to spot some shooting stars — which, if you go August 12-13, you might see up to 100 meteors.
The prize package includes two domestic round-trip flights to the Reno-Tahoe International Airport, a 4-wheel drive rental car for two days to get you to and from the park, REI camping gear with a tent and two sleeping bags, a $200 gift card to a Reno Tahoe restaurant, a six-pack of assorted beers from local breweries to drink while you stargaze, and one night at a Reno Tahoe hotel before or after your camping adventure.
Entry is simple on the Reno Tahoe site. To qualify, you just need to be at least 21 years of age and have a valid driver’s license. The winner will be selected Friday, August 6, 2021. And although the best dates to go are August 12-13, this prize is redeemable until September 30, 2021.
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This desert oasis is the highlight of any trip to Tucson
Tucson’s population of 540,000 people is scattered across more than 200 square miles of sandy urban sprawl. If your goal is to hike or mountain bike the Santa Catalina Mountains, you’ll find it takes a bit of driving past fast-food joints and housing complexes to escape civilization. But keep heading north toward Oro Valley and on your way to the Catalinas you’ll find a delightful desert oasis tucked just off SR77, across the road from urban mainstays like Whole Foods and Starbucks. These sprawling, estate-like grounds are Tohono Chul Botanical Gardens and Galleries — a celebration of Sonoran Desert natural habitat, art, and culture.
Tohono Chul is a must-visit destination if you’re visiting Tucson, but before you imbibe one of the bistro’s famous prickly pear margaritas, there are a few things about the gardens you should know. Start your Tohono Chul visit by wandering the desert gardens and learning about the prickly pear cactus and its fruit — pink and purplish buttons that produce sweet, nearly neon-pink juice. They’re called tunas in Spanish and they’re in season in the summer through the fall months. A chilled prickly pear margarita is even more satisfying when you know a little bit about the colorful fruit — and after you’ve wandered the park in midday sun for an hour or so.
Photo: Cathryn Castle
The story of Tohono Chul starts in the mid-1960s when its benefactors, geologist Richard Wilson and his wife Jean bought the property where the gardens are now located. Developers came calling throughout the 1970s, but the Wilsons wouldn’t sell. According to Tohono Chul’s archives, Jean said of her decision, “I don’t want to sell the land. I don’t want it cemented over. I want to preserve it.”
The pair established the nonprofit Foundation for the Preservation of Natural Areas in the early 1980s. Historical documents preserved by Tohono Chul record Jean explaining the couple’s mission: “We wanted to keep something natural in the middle of all the (surrounding) development so that people could come easily for a few hours and get out of the traffic and learn something at the same time.”
Both Jean and Richard have since passed away, but the legacy they created is thriving.
Today the park is supported by donations and nominal entry fees. Volunteer docents are available to guide you, or you can grab a park map and enjoy your own adventure.
The words “tohono chul” mean “desert corner” and are from the language of the early Tohono O’odham people, hardy desert-dwellers renowned for their knowledge of Sonoran plants.
Today, the curated desert garden consists of 49 acres of trails and gardens that highlight the Arizona Upland subdivision of the Sonoran Desert — one of six distinct regions of North American desert and offering more varieties of trees, shrubs, cacti, and other succulent plants. Tohono’s collection consists mostly of plants native to the region or adapted to the American Southwest, including more than 150 species of shrubs and trees, 300 species of cacti and succulents, and 50 species of wildflowers.
The Santa Catalinas rising in the distance provide the perfect backdrop for the natural experience, although it’s important to note that Tohono’s location does more than provide a pleasant diversion for cityfolk. Wildlife have found a refuge within the gardens: Nearly 40 bird species make their permanent home here, and another 60 or so migrant species fly in and out seasonally. Other desert creatures often spotted here include jackrabbits, gila monsters and other lizards, bobcats, coyotes, and even gray foxes. Native tortoises even have their own preserve.
Just beyond the Sonoran Seasons Garden to the west is the Desert Palm Oasis, which is a careful recreation of a tropical forest found near the town of San Carlos, Mexico (six hours’ drive south of Tucson). Here, you’ll find towering tropical palm trees, including three species of fan palms. The oasis is a celebration of the Sonoran Desert’s diverse plant life.
What else to do at Tohono Chul
Photo: Nelson Sirlin/Shutterstock
In addition to natural beauty everywhere you look, the park features sculptural art created by local artists, and the entire park is set up as an educational center. The Geology Wall illustrates the geologic history of the Santa Catalina Mountains and the Saguaro Discovery Trail explains both the natural history and cultural significance of the towering cactus.
More adventurous visitors will enjoy walking the Hallowell Desert View Trail. It’s only about a half-mile long, featuring the desert in its natural state. Along the trail are two shaded ramadas with drinking fountains, but this trail is not wheelchair accessible.
The area known as Cholla Forest features “jumping” cactus that, although it doesn’t really jump, has an uncanny ability to attach to your clothing (or skin) if you happen to brush against it. The cholla cactus’ stems are covered in barbed spines. The stems detach easily, so do be careful not to get pin-cushioned. Although if you do brave the Cholla Forest, chances are you’ll see birds including the cactus wren and curve-billed thrashers — they love building their nests in the cholla. Also keep an eye out for Gambel’s quail, and the ubiquitous desert roadrunner.
Where to eat at Tohono Chul
Photo: Tohono Chul | Botanical Gardens & Galleries
Once your desert wandering is done, you’ll feel like you’ve earned a prickly pear margarita or two (there’s also a nonalcoholic prickly pear lemonade), or a local draft beer. The Tohono Chul Garden Bistro offers indoor, air-conditioned dining, or you can enjoy the outdoor dining area, adjacent to the Hummingbird Garden, which features a variety of plants attractive to hummingbirds. While the hummingbirds feast on the nectar of honeysuckle, agave, and salvia, you can satisfy your hunger with a classic burger and fries, brunch fare such as waffles or an omelet, or try one of the Bistro’s Sonoran-inspired dishes.
And guess what? The prickly pear margaritas are “bottomless” when ordered with an entree.
The hummingbird show and the slow-going Sonoran vibe at Tohono Chul invites you to stay a while longer. Summers are long here. Hiking and mountain biking can wait.
Where: 366 Paseo del Norte, Tucson, AZ 85704
The post This desert oasis is the highlight of any trip to Tucson appeared first on Matador Network.
Go beyond hot chicken: 7 spots that show Nashville’s Black restaurant culture
Native Nashvillians often look at their city’s surge in growth, population, and popularity with a smirk and a side-eye. The bachelorette parties on Music Row, the parts of town that would never make a list of favorite neighborhoods, the dedicated sports fans — these and many other things didn’t exist a mere 15 years ago.
Another thing that Nashville wasn’t known for: its food. Food was the specialty of Memphis, Nashville’s sister city to the west. Named after a city on Egypt’s Nile River delta, Memphis has the state’s highest Black population at almost 65 percent, which adds to it being cemented on the barbecue and soul food map.
Yet while Memphis may be considered the hub of Tennessee’s connection to food, music, and civil rights legacy, Nashville also has notable ties to politics and music — plus the city’s Black food history runs deep.
Nashville is the capital of Tennessee and home to two prominent HBCUs. Food culture has always been an important part of the city’s connection to its Black residents. Civil rights leaders and politicians past and present have gathered around the tables of many of the city’s Black-owned restaurants since the early ‘50s.
With a plethora of restaurants that show both Nashville’s history and its bright future, visitors to the city should check out these spots to see how Nashville has more on its plate than hot chicken.
1. Swett’s RestaurantFamily-owned and operated for over 60 years, Swett’s has long been a major artery of Nashville food, and you get a peek into the city’s Black history walking through the doors. Swett’s has always had a diverse clientele, even when it opened in 1954. Known as a gathering place for not only locals, political leaders, college students, and celebs, but also travelers looking for real soul food from real Southerners, this cafeteria-style eatery is the spot.
Without frills or anything fancy, Swett’s takes a step back to a time when restaurants focused on the food and feeding their customers in a friendly and efficient manner. Thank yous and welcome backs are as plentiful as the food on display. While the decor is simple, Swett’s serves up some of the best mac and cheese, fried chicken, and peach cobbler you’ll have outside of somebody’s grandma’s kitchen. Pulled pork (a Tennessee favorite), beef tips, and country fried steak make Swett’s a must-visit pit stop anytime Nashville is on the itinerary. Vegetarians will swoon over the turnip greens, squash casserole, pinto beans, and yams — just a few of the “sides” that can turn into an entree. If you find yourself in Nashville, get familiar with the Southern “meat and three” dining tradition at Swett’s.
Where: 2725 Clifton Ave, Nashville, TN 37209, United States
2. Mary’s Old Fashioned Pit BBQ
Photo: Mary’s Old Fashioned Pit Bar-B-Que/Facebook
Located on Jefferson Street, the historic and beloved Black business district, Mary’s Old Fashioned Pit BBQ is a throwback to the lunch counter days. At Mary’s, you won’t find a large menu or a ton of different sauces, but you will find some of Nashville’s best food since 1962.
Many people confuse simple with basic, and good barbecue can be taken for granted when it’s treated simply. But Mary’s basics are exactly what barbeque is supposed to be. Hot sauce and coleslaw on pulled pork is the star of the show here. Rib tips, rib sandwiches, and cornbread fight for the leading role, though. Chicken and fried fish on white bread are also go-to inexpensive lunch options, but locals will rave about the smoked pork on cornbread pancakes.
While Nashville isn’t as known for its barbecue as Memphis, Mary’s has been, and will continue to be, a Nashville staple for decades to come.
Where: 1106 Jefferson St, Nashville, TN 37208, United States
3. Ed’s Fish HouseWhile Nashville is now known as the home of hot chicken, locals know the power of a good fish sandwich. Ed’s Fish House has been a Nashville staple since the early 70s and is still run by its namesake. The signature fish sandwich has become a secret that native Nashvillians would like to keep. Ed’s combination of whiting fish, pickles, American cheese, mustard, and hot sauce was not built for a fussy palate, but it appeals to those who know and love downhome comfort food. Adapting to the food truck trend, Ed now hosts his famous menu on wheels. Wings and catfish are also available, but Ed is the father of the Whiting Fish Sandwich, and this is exactly what you need to be eating when you visit his truck. Local college students flock to this inexpensive, but undeniably delicious, food and return to Ed’s during reunions and homecomings year after year.
Where: 2806 Smith Springs Rd, Nashville, TN 37217, United States
4. Slim & Husky’s
Photo: Slim & Husky’s Pizza Beeria/Facebook
Slim & Husky’s has quickly become a Nashville favorite due to its use of local vendors and selection of regional craft beers. The founders being Nashville natives — as well as graduates of Nashville’s Tennessee State University — is a key part of Slim & Husky’s success. The founders know the landscape of the city and are tapping into a food scene that has been overrun by non-locals taking advantage of Nashville’s growing tourism numbers. Slim & Husky’s dedication to the city puts Nashville in contention with some of the best pizza in the country. With pizzas such as “Got 5 On It,” “The Smokin Herb,” and the vegan-friendly “Nothin But A V Thang,” this restaurant gives everyone’s favorite food a very cool update.
Where: Multiple locations in the Nashville area, as well as Memphis, Atlanta, and Sacramento
5. EG & MCSituated on Historic Jefferson Street in north Nashville, EG & MC, a craft cocktail and tapas bar, is one of Nashville’s newest additions. The latest collaboration between Clint Gray, Derrick Moore, and EJ Reed — the hospitality group behind Slim & Husky’s Pizza Beeria — adds craft cocktail guru Gemaal Pratts of Aperitif to make EG & MC an elite Southern small plate and cocktail experience.
The name of the spot stands for Educated Gifted Melanated Creatives, and it’s reflective of the group’s collective personas.
“We take great pride in introducing a new, contemporary culinary concept to North Nashville, particularly along historic Jefferson Street, in the midst of not only a global pandemic, but also the community’s regentrification surge,” Gray says. “Through EG & MC, our goal is to offer guests a memorable experience while continuing our mission to pour back into the city’s urban core.”
EG & MC features Southern-inspired small plates such as a smoked meats and cabbage dish, which gives guests a choice between smoked short ribs, pork tenderloin, or turkey sausage alongside braised cabbage. Keeping with the Southern theme, other menu items include buttered hot water cornbread, a Nashville homecook favorite, accompanied by blackberry jam. A few signature cocktails include the classic, Southern Hospitality, as well as, The Gift + The Curse, a tasty blend of green apple juice and peanut butter washed rum.
Where: 924 Jefferson St, Nashville, TN 37208, United States
6. The Southern V
Photo: The Southern V/Facebook
While not widely publicized, there’s a growing Black Southern vegan population, as well as more people who have decided not to center every meal around meat. The Southern V is a family-owned and operated vegan and plant-based restaurant in the Buchanan Street Business District.
The restaurant is a huge hit with locals. It’s also great for visitors who follow a plant-based diet and often struggle when it comes to dining options in Southern destinations. Menu items include things such as the potato-based Meet Loaf, Loaded BBQ Jackfruit Nachos, Vegan Patty Melts, a number of vegan burgers and sandwiches, and breakfast items such as Chick’n and Waffles, Snausage Biscuit, and a delicious Veggie Scramble. A fan favorite is the Hot Chik’n Sandwich, which is a vegan version of Nashville’s famous hot chicken that allows vegan guests to enjoy a plant-based version of the city’s signature food.
Where: 1200 Buchanan St, Nashville, TN 37208, United States
7. Minerva AvenueLocated in the historic art district in North Nashville, this open-air lounge is a throwback to the ‘40s.
Minerva Avenue brings high-end mixology and yummy bites to a fabled, old neighborhood, and it gives a vintage speakeasy vibe with moody music and great conversation to a once forgotten area of Nashville. It’s a perfect spot for the weekday after-work crowd that may enjoy an end-of-day cigar, and Minerva also mixes up classic cocktail recipes to appeal to younger customers.
Locally loved, visitors to Nashville will find Minerva Avenue feels comfortable and much like home. The cocktails are why you come, though there’s also a small menu of mostly appetizers. Cocktails such as the ginny French 75, the Champagne-based Hangover, and a full shots menu are the perfect way to wind down under a Nashville sunset.
Where: 1002 Buchanan St, Nashville, TN 37208, United States
The post Go beyond hot chicken: 7 spots that show Nashville’s Black restaurant culture appeared first on Matador Network.
Win a free month at this luxury hotel in Iceland if you shoot the northern lights
Hotel Rangá, a luxury hotel located on Iceland’s southern coast, just 90 minutes away from Reykjavík, is offering the gig of a lifetime.
The hotel is one of the few in Iceland to have a northern lights wake-up call for its guests, and now it’s pushing the aurora borealis perks even further.
It’s calling all aspiring photographers to come and stay for free for one month if they agree to capture photos and videos of the northern lights during their stay.
Photo: Kristján Pétur Vilhelmsson/Hotel Rangá
The job opportunity, titled “lights catcher,” will allow one lucky person to build up their portfolio by taking a trip to one of the most beautiful destinations in the world.
The gig will start mid-September and end mid-October, during which the “lights catcher” will be working the night shift, shooting the night sky to capture the impressive celestial phenomena.
In exchange for their high-quality images of the northern lights, the photographer will receive room and board at the hotel (including the hot tub and the access to the hotel’s stargazing observatory), free flights to and from Iceland, and access to the hotel’s sister property, Highland Center Hrauneyjar.
For more information and to apply, visit Hotel Rangá’s website.
The post Win a free month at this luxury hotel in Iceland if you shoot the northern lights appeared first on Matador Network.
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