Category: Travel

demostrating the Quikflip Hero Hoodie converting to a sack
Quikflip Hero Hoodie Review — A Clever Piece of Travel Apparel?
Updated on February 19, 2026 When packing for a trip, there are a few things I can’t leave home without. At the top of the list (among the numerous chargers and cables I need for my various devices these days) is a comfortable hoodie. Not only is this a must while flying or driving, but...
Solis 5G alone and attached to a backpack
2026 Solis Pro 5G Mobile Hotspot Review
Updated on February 11, 2026 For years, I've been a regular user of Solis mobile hotspots and have used them for several international trips (and some domestic). Of course, as the years have gone by, my Solis 1 device has grown a bit old. While it still works just fine, it has been discontinued and...
three different angles of wearing the Comfrt Travel Hoodie
Travel Tuesday: Comfrt Airplane Mode Travel Zip Hoodie Review
I've previously gone on record as saying that I end up finding a number of interesting products via Instagram ads. And today's item is no different. Just last month, I was served an ad for a hoodie from Comfrt that boasted some intriguing features. So, since I had a couple of upcoming trips at the...
open highway
AAA Review: Is AAA Worth It in 2026?
Updated on February 9, 2026 When I turned 16 years old and got my driver’s license, one of the gifts my father gave me was a AAA (American Automobile Association) membership. In 2013, following a short lapse in membership, my wife and I decided that our road-tripping ways would make having AAA a smart idea....
Everything You Need to Know About Flying Allegiant Air in 2026
Updated on February 3, 2026 When my wife and I moved to Springfield, Missouri more than a decade ago, one of the selling points (or at least what kept it in the running) was that there was a nearby airport that served a decent number of destinations. Unfortunately, while it is convenient, flying out of...
illustration of an airplane
Travel Tuesday: 2025's "Best Airline" Winner is Also the Year's Most Controversial
Each January, the Wall Street Journal puts out its list of the best and worst domestic airlines during the preceding year. Mind you, these aren't just subjective rankings or tier lists. Instead, their scorecards incorporate several pieces of data, from on-time arrivals to cancellations and mishandled baggage to involuntary bumping. So, which airline topped the...
view of Las Vegas from the Cosmopolitan
Travel Tuesday: Cosmopolitan Las Vegas Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts Hotel Review
Continuing what has been a tradition for me the past several years, I started 2026 with a visit to Las Vegas for CES. And, in a repeat of last year, I decided to use one of my nights on the Strip to try out a hotel I've never been to. This time around, I not...
stuffed monkey doll on a hotel bed
Travel Tuesday: Why I'm a Travel Creature of Habit
Something funny about me is that, for as much as I enjoy exploring new places, I love returning to familiar foreign locations nearly as much. Moreover, when I do return to cities I've been to before, there's a good chance I'll even book the same hotel from previous stays. That's how I've ended up having...
airplane stuck on the ground getting service
Travel Tuesday: Flight Tracking App Flighty Says This is the Most-Delayed Airline
Imagine this: you're waiting for your flight, checking your watch, and confirming your boarding time. Yet, when that time arrives, the gate agent comes on the P.A. and announces a delay. Worse yet, you have a connecting flight to catch, which suddenly seems in jeopardy. Unfortunately, these types of delays are all too common. In...
illustration of how to donate travel rewards to charities
Travel Tuesday: Donating Your Travel Currency on Giving Tuesday
Lest you think we're done with the retail holidays, today marks another — albeit quite different — one: Giving Tuesday. For those unaware, this is the day that emphasizes charitable donations over retail purchases. Actually, in addition to Giving Tuesday, today has also become known as Travel Tuesday (no relation to this column). Notably, while...
man wearing a Halfday Roamer Backpack next to an open backpack
Halfday Roamer Backpack Review: Another Clever Travel Solution
Two and a half years ago, after coming across the Halfday Garment Duffle on Instagram, I ended up ordering one and giving it a shot. Since then, Halfday has continued to expand its brand, not only making updates to that original duffle but also debuting new bags and styles. Among them is the Roamer Backpack,...
couple arriving for a hotel stay
Travel Tuesday: My Hotel Stay Pet Peeves and Annoyances
When I was a kid, I remember that getting to stay in a hotel was always a fun and exciting prospect. As I got a bit older, I even recall hearing some celeb complaining about living in various hotels and thinking, "Why? Hotels are amazing!" Well, although I do still occasionally get giddy about a...
Featured Articles
Travel Tuesday: The Club ATL Grab & Go Pantry Lounge Review
Last week, I set off for San Francisco from my home in Springfield, Missouri. But, since I was flying Delta, I of course needed to make a stop in Atlanta before my flight back in the correct direction. Over the years, I've spent plenty of time at ATL, so when something new pops up, I...
4 Daily Games I Play That Somehow Make Me Feel Smart
Remember a few years ago when Wordle took the world by storm? Well, after that, it seemed that several other daily games popped up as well. Over time, the lineup of games I actually bother to play daily has evolved — but there are a few that I keep returning to. That's probably because, even...
Hotel Vandivort Review: Springfield, Missouri's Four Diamond Boutique Hotel
When it comes to my Travel Tuesday hotel review series, I often wonder what travels might be featured in my latest installment. That's when it hit me that: instead of looking to other cities for adventure, I could feature a property found right here in Springfield, Missouri.  Hotel Vandivort is a unique boutique hotel we’d...
I'm 40 and Finally Figured Out How to Properly Shave My Face
For a good portion of my mid to late 20s, I made my living pretending to be in high school for television. As it turns out, part of the reason why I could pass for younger is that I can't grow a beard to save my life. Unfortunately, this lack of growth also means that,...