There’s something mysterious when you pull into Louisiana…whether you know it or not. We got up and – thanks to the disapproving looks of the locals, who no doubt heard Tim & I last night singing along to the newest Darkness album around 3am – found the way through our haze to unplug that which needed to be unplugged and dump that which needed to be dumped and get on the road.

Louisiana, as mentioned, seems to carry its own blanket of both old-fashioned mystique and an even more-rooted general dislike of things different to what has become the norm. The gas station we pulled up to not only did not carry my new found favorite cigarettes, but met my fancy request with a raised eyebrow. Tim fought back with his own form of vigilante by winning $4 on video poker. Had it not been for the dilated stares of the No-Doz chewing truckers, he might have stayed longer.

While it might seem repetitive, this rewarding backdrop with the characters that want to make you work for it, it’s simply how things seem to work around here.

Another problem that we’ve faced, and will continue to face, is the fact that while my friends trust me, they don’t believe me. For example, I’m sure Collin trusted me when I said that the photos of the bus do not do justice to the actual size of the bus, which resulted in us not only saying more than one prayer for the satellite mounted on top while driving through his neighborhood, but in Collin and I having to pull out both the ladder and hacksaw from his Father’s garage to make room. T&R fell prey to this problem as well. They’ve been warned about Collin’s love of food, even laughed at the previous story of his, but didn’t believe me enough.

The meal helped them understand. Read More »

Fall foliage

Contrary to the thermometer outside my window, which at this second is reading a balmy 108 degrees (September in Arizona – gotta love it!), the fall weather will soon be upon us. Nothing says fall to me more than the round of upcoming harvest fairs and festivals, scheduled for September through November.

The Arizona Expo and State Fair is being held from October 16th through November 8th (closed Mondays). Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children and seniors, and kids under five years old are free. Parking in all fair lots is $10. The fairgrounds are located at 26 W. McDowell Road in Phoenix, just off of I-10. This year’s concert series includes Stone Temple Pilots, Bob Dylan, Lady Antebellum, The Black Crowes, David Cook, and Kelly Clarkson. The fair is entering its 64th consecutive year and features the traditional round of carnival rides, fried foods, craft and livestock displays and contests, and rodeo events.

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Kayt Sukel is an Uptake.com blogger and also contributing editor to Travelsavvymom.com. Kayt grew up just outside Philadelphia and is at home in the city. We explore the walks, attractions, and the plethora of food options in the city.  But we kept coming back to the Philly Cheese Steak!

There are themes for visitors to Philadelphia, meaning repeat visits are a great idea. For example, always worth a repeat is shopping – did you know clothing is a tax free activity? There are great drives in the countryside too. Kayt suggests spring for a city visit and fall for the countryside.

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If you’re planning a trip, check out Philadelphia flight deals.

It’s time for another rousing edition of Travel Around the Internet! It’s like exciting.

Here are just a few of the items that have shuffled across our inbox lately:

LAST CHANCE! If you have a kid, a camera and access to water you could win a $500 Best Western gift card at Babble Playground. The contest ends tomorrow so get that kid wet, stat!

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