New Orleans is one of my favorite cities in the US.  I love the food, the music, the culture, and  the history.  Plus, wandering through the French Quarter feels unlike anywhere else in this country.  A few years ago, we decided to travel for the Thanksgiving holiday.  When trying to decide where to go, spending Thanksgiving in New Orleans came immediately to mind. Some quick research showed me that not…

Grand Lake Colorado sits at the western gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park. It’s a historic 19th century mining-supply-turned-resort-town that sits along the shores of Grand Lake – the deepest and largest natural lake in Colorado.  It’s small town center features Old West-styled architecture and a boardwalk now lined with boutiques, restaurants, and ice cream parlors.   My brother, who lives in Colorado, bought a cabin at Grand Lake and invited…

Tucson Arizona is a perfect location for a sunny weekend trip.  When suffering through long Utah winters, it’s essential for me & Mrs. Thorough Tripper to find some warmth and sun for a few days – especially since we aren’t skiers. I have been to Scottsdale Arizona and Southern California countless times. For this sun-seeking trip, I wanted to try something different, so we chose Tucson. We visited Tucson Arizona…

A road trip along the Oregon Coast Highway in southern Oregon is the perfect summer adventure. Stay in quaint seaside towns. Marvel as the pine-covered mountains reach right to the sea creating scenic cliffside vistas out across the Pacific Ocean. Explore the tide pools along the rocky shores. Stroll long sandy beaches. Admire the sea stacks that dot the coast. Plus the seafood!! We took a 1 week circular road…