Nature – Clever Journeys

United States Announces $2.5 Billion Ocean Plastics Initiative

Tonight, Ivanka Trump shined a spotlight on a newly announced “$2.5 billion Ocean Plastics Initiative to reduce plastic waste, about 150 million tons of plastic in the world’s oceans, and marine debris in oceans and waterways.” The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) said Tuesday it aims to “catalyze $2.5 billion in infrastructure investments aimed…

It Isn’t Only Physical- 10 Ways to Rid Emotional Clutter

When we moved further out in the Texas Hill Country in May 2020, our goals were to cut expenses in half, simplify our lives and do what WE want to do. We’ve been successful–and it’s such a rewarding life. One of Dodie’s simple pleasures is to watch the red cardinals, various hummingbirds and our very…

What is This Creature?

When pests invade your home or business, it’s helpful to know what you’re dealing with, the problems they cause, and how to get rid of them. Here’s some information on a variety of the most common pests found throughout the United States, with some emphasis in and around Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, New Mexico and…

My First Great Adventure Was In a Torrential Storm

I miss rain. When I was seven, we lived on West Ansley in south San Antonio. Three Dennis families, lived side by side, with six acres among us. It was my last innocent summer in many ways. In just a few months Blackie, my devoted Cocker Spaniel would be dead. Nineteen days later, I would…

More Suggested Road Trips Opened for COVID-19 Season

American workers, happy to be returning to the travel, food and hospitality fields, are welcoming us back with open arms–only six feet away. We had wonderful feedback after posting several articles about our recent 32-day, 4500 mile roadtrip from the Texas Hill Country through much of the South, Washington D.C. (for July 4th), to part of…

10 Clever Facts We Learned at WonderWorks in Branson, Missouri

We passed up going to WonderWorks in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee and I instantly regretted it after we left. Driving away toward the Great Smokies National Park, I suddenly remembered a Facebook post from a friend, Janie Buys, a few years ago mentioning the attraction. It seems she had doubts about visiting it with husband Phil…

Kentucky Rain, Bomb Bunker, Bates Motel

Seconds before we left West Virginia on IH64 to enter Kentucky today, it began to drizzle. Why is that mentioned? I can guess the first thing my friends Ray and Leland Hammonds think of when the subject of Kentucky is brought up is horse racing. Our parents and grandparents actually raced horses together for decades.…

Roadtrip 2020 Day 12: Rocky Top Tennessee

After our first full day in Pigeon Forge visiting Alcatraz East and the Civil War Theater, we had planned to go to the Hollywood Wax Museum and the Titanic Exhibition. We decided to let serendipity take over when we learned that morning the Hatfield and McCoys Dinner Theater didn’t have seating for two until three…

Roadtrip 2020 Day 8: The Prehistoric American Trail

Imagine driving down a highway with virtually no other vehicles in sight, no billboards, no gas stations, no hotels or businesses for several hours. Now visualize this as a two-lane paved road, with origins of being a trail during prehistoric times, now twisting and curving through dense tall forests and beautiful countryside. We took this…

Teach Your Children To Fish

Introducing a child to fishing can lead to a lifetime of adventures and experiences for both you and your child. RVers, campers and roadtrippers can enhance the memories for younger travelers by just fishing together. Here’s some tips and ideas for presenting the world of fishing to children. Generate interest in the outdoors before they…