Fight the Power, German Style: Surfing the München Wave
Surfing was forbidden on the standing wave in Munich when I visited in 2007. The small river where this takes place runs through the Englischer Garten and is known locally as Eisbach. Signs prohibiting surfing obviously didn't stop anyone. In 2010, surfing was...
Blue Jay Campground & Morgan Hiking Trail near Lake Elsinore, California
Excessive Thanksgiving eating requires a plan for major calorie burn off. We hadn't been camping in a while and Blue Jay campground fit the holiday logistics. Even better, a fabulous feast means lots of leftovers, so we only had to buy breakfast food and planned to...
How to Save Money Traveling or Backpacking in Europe
If you love to travel and want to extend your journeys, one of the most important things to do is trim your expenses. Extending your trekking time by stretching your budget is a matter of balance, being smart and knowing what your priorities are. Major travel expenses...
Staying in Hostels: Lower Your Expectations & Have a Great Time
Hostels. Some people love them, others fear them. There was a horror movie called Hostel where everyone became the target of a crazy butcher. The movie caused unnecessary fear among the unenlightened. This article is intended to expose what it is really like to stay...
Best Websites for Cheap Deals on Lodging
Every year there are new websites and tools to help you find a good deal on lodging, so this post will not be relevant forever. I'll let you know about my experience with them and give you the honest truth. Many of the websites offer the same capabilities, but some...
Infamous Black Helicopters: Pics or it Didn’t Happen
The second time I saw the infamous black helicopters was in 2010. I had first heard about them on "Mancow's Morning Madhouse" in the late 90s in Chicago. He claimed they were a government conspiracy—black, silent, unmarked helicopters that patrolled the city...
Bomb Disposal Unit: Pics or it Didn’t Happen
Yes it did. Of all places . . . Grand Canyon... This was on a trip to the Grand Canyon in 2010. We were driving around the South Rim in a fairly unpopulated area. Please do not ask why there is a bomb disposal unit in forest ranger green, because I have no idea!
So You’ve Never Worked with a Designer …
If you have never worked with a graphic designer before, you may be a bit intimidated. Don't be. Professional designers will guide you through the process, which typically looks something like this: 1. Gather information about your project and communicate the...
Anaheim Packing District: A Beautiful Atmosphere
The Anaheim Packing District opened its doors recently in an area of downtown Anaheim where quite a bit of effort has gone into gentrification. What was once a run-down neighborhood near city hall is now being revitalized with trendy shops, expensive condos, and new...
Lone Pine, Hike to Chicken Springs Lake, and Whitney Portal Camping
We spent this weekend camping and hiking in Lone Pine. Lone Pine Campground The first night we stayed at Lone Pine Campground, a pretty little place behind the Alabama Hills. It's tucked in a little canyon. As you're driving into the mountains past Lone Pine,...