American Nomad Blog
About this blog
American Nomad covers the best of U.S. travel—from vacation deals to festivals, weekend getaways, travel tips, and more. A seasoned traveler and Moon author, Laura is the perfect guide to help discover new gems when traveling domestically.
Recent Posts
- A Southern Girl's Wintertime Adventure in Yellowstone
- One Novelist's Odyssey Across America
- Gearing up for a Family Camping Trip
- Mint Juleps and More at Oak Alley Plantation
- Avoiding Identity Theft While on Vacation
- Money-Saving Travel Tips from Nomadic Matt
- Fashion, Fun, and Convenience for the Modern Traveler
- In Search of Irish Museums Across America
- The Inspiring Journey of a Solo Kayaker
- Getting Fit for Treks in Yosemite and Elsewhere, Part 2
- Getting Fit for Treks in Yosemite and Elsewhere, Part 1
- Experiencing Yosemite with YExplore
- Two Travel Contests Worth Mentioning
- A Word About the TSA's No-No List
- A Reader's Advice About Airport Security
Treasure Hunts on South Padre Island, Part 1
While searching for blackberries last week in the woods of northern Michigan, I thought about a long-ago, summertime trip to the American River in northern California. Although my husband, Dan, and I had ventured to the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park in order to pan for gold, it was the blackberry bushes alongside the river that ended up yielding the most treasure that day. As Dan filled a small vial with gold flakes from the crystalline water, I managed to load my own pan with a heaping mound of ripe blackberries, which, naturally, we consumed that night back in our hotel room. more >>
Touring Historic Monuments Along the East Coast
In honor of Moon Travel Guides' current national parks pass giveaway and the National Park Service's free entrance days this weekend, I'm focusing this week's posts on some of my favorite national parks. On Monday, I wrote about Mammoth Cave, a one-of-a-kind park in southern Kentucky that features a variety of subterranean adventures. more >>
Subterranean Adventures in Kentucky's Mammoth Cave
On a recent trip to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore on Michigan's Leelanau Peninsula, my husband, Dan, and I eagerly renewed our America The Beautiful – National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass. For just $80, this annual pass will allow us free access to all federal recreation sites that charge an entrance fee of some kind – including an assortment of national park units, national forests, and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands. Although children under 16 are admitted onto federal recreation sites at no charge, the passes can save families a lot of money over the course of a year. After all, each pass, which can be obtained at any participating park or by calling 888/ASK-USGS (888/275-8747), admits the passholder (who must be a U.S. more >>
Petoskey Stones and Other Natural Treasures
While visiting Traverse City, Michigan, for last week's Traverse City Film Festival, my husband, Dan, and I ventured farther west to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (9922 Front St., Empire, MI, 231/326-5134, visitor center 8 a.m.-6 p.m. daily, park 24 hours daily, $10 vehicles, $5 motorcycles, pedestrians, and bikers), which preserves a 35-mile stretch of Lake Michigan coastline, including the largest freshwater dunes in the world. Ostensibly, we went there to meet with some friends from downstate – an old high school pal of Dan's, plus his wife, son, and daughter. Of course, while in the area, we also took time to enjoy the one-of-a-kind features of this lovely place. more >>
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Moon Travel Guides make independent travel and outdoor exploration fun and accessible. With expert and adventurous travel writers delivering a mix of honest insight, first-rate strategic travel advice, insider travel tips and an essential dose of humor, Moon Travel Guides ensure that travelers have an uncommon and entirely satisfying experience. Each travel book is filled with unique trip ideas, easy-to-use maps, and detailed information on sights, restaurants, and accommodations. Moon Travel Guides not only point you in the right direction, they inspire new ideas and adventure. Whether you are seeking a relaxing beach trip to Hawaii, or an adventure travel trip to the rainforests of Costa Rica, Moon guidebooks—and Moon.com—are with you every step of the way. Founded in 1973, the Moon Travel Guides series includes Moon Handbooks, Moon Outdoors, Moon Metro, Moon Living Abroad and Moon Spotlight travel books. Moon is based in Berkeley, California and is a proud member of the Perseus Books Group.