Refuges offer vacation, education opportunities By Sydni Ellis Happy tigers bask lazily in the sun. Cougars roll around in the soft grass. Bobcats play among the fallen logs and thick grass. Brown bears cool off in the water — sounds like a dream, right? At …
By Sydni Ellis Champagne and chocolate are always a good idea, but this month give your Valentine a little something more. Skip your regular restaurant reservations and escape to an island straight out of your dreams instead (but don’t worry, you can still bring a …
Celebrate the games, travel like an Olympian this year By Carrie Dunlea Celebrate the annual Winter Olympics this year by taking a trip to any one of three former host cities in the United States. No athleticism is required unless you want to strap on …
By Sydni Ellis There’s a reason so many big-city characters travel to small towns in Hallmark movies. The charming town squares, twinkling lights, friendly neighbors, festive parades, sweet Christmas tree farms, romantic horse-drawn carriage rides, and snow everywhere — what’s not to love? If you’ve …
A Chicago Christmas is Unlike Any Other By Sydni Ellis Stepping out of Chicago’s Midway Airport in 2016, I was greeted by soft snowflakes tickling my nose and covering my hair in white. It was the first time my husband and I had returned to …
Ride horses, hike trails, and connect with nature By Sydni Ellis Golden light illuminates the sky, as deep red, orange, and yellow-tinted leaves are crunched underfoot. A comforting chill fills the air, as we spot pumpkins in the grocery store and smell apple pies baking …
To local wineries, distilleries, and breweries to discover your new favorite after-work drink By Sydni Ellis Who hasn’t turned to wine after a long day, grabbed a celebratory beer with friends, or treated yourself to a kids-are-finally-back-in-school cocktail? We all have our favorite drinks and …
By Sydni Ellis Starting with lazy summer sunshine and ending with the chaotic energy of back-to-school season, August is such a unique month. In Texas, it’s also one of the hottest, with temperatures ramping up just before fall. August is a time of lasts — …
Explore parks, cities by bicycle this summer By Sydni Ellis I learned how to ride a bike on a pink glitter bicycle with white wheels, a cute basket, and rainbow tassel handles. As a kid, I spent countless hours exploring the neighborhood streets with my matching …
By Sydni Ellis If I could bottle up a bit of June’s dreamy, luminescent sunshine, I would spritz it all year long to prolong that magical early summer feeling. It’s practically impossible to feel sad this time of year when the outdoors beckons you every …