Category: travel

Wisconsin White-tailed Deer: Random Travel Pic of the Week

August 21, 2012

Wisconsin White-Tailed Deer. Photo by Charish Badzinski. This time of year, when traveling in Wisconsin, you get the distinct impression you’re being watched. As we enter autumn, you can see your peeping toms with greater ease: Wisconsin’s beautiful white-tailed deer. While many locals like to hunt them for sport, I prefer to appreciate them from … More Wisconsin White-tailed Deer: Random Travel Pic of the Week

Mini Vacay: Old Faithful, Yellowstone National Park

August 20, 2012

Rollin’, rollin’, rollin’. Photo by Patricia Balsley.  When it comes to predictability, particularly with geothermal features, perhaps nothing beats Old Faithful. Every 91 minutes or so, she lets loose. Maybe the only thing that is more predictable is that thousands of tourists will gather around the circular benches, a comfortable distance from the steam and … More Mini Vacay: Old Faithful, Yellowstone National Park

Rainy Day in Savannah, Georgia: Random Travel Photo of the Week

August 16, 2012

A rainy day in Savannah, Georgia. Photo by Charish Badzinski. In Forsyth Park in Savannah, Georgia, many visitors stop to photograph the park’s famous fountain.Yet on this particular rainy day, some were content to simply follow the wide sidewalks through the park, where oak trees dripping with spanish moss seem to nod to passersby. To … More Rainy Day in Savannah, Georgia: Random Travel Photo of the Week

National Geographic Traveler Announces Photo Contest 2012 Winners

August 15, 2012

Not a winner, not even an entrant, but one of my favorite travel photos from my personal collection. Taken in Chiang Mai, Thailand, this Hmong hill tribe girl poses outside a wat, or temple, in exchange for baht. Photo by Charish Badzinski.  National Geographic Traveler magazine recently announced the results of its 2012 photography contest. Though … More National Geographic Traveler Announces Photo Contest 2012 Winners

Random Travel Pic of the Week: Mississippi River, La Crosse, Wisconsin

August 9, 2012

The Cass Street Bridge, looking from Pettibone Beach. Photo by Charish Badzinski. The Cass Street Bridge (now two bridges, with the addition of the “arch” shaped bridge in recent years), offers a dramatic entry from La Crescent, Minnesota into the city of La Crosse, Wisconsin. From a distance, it’s reminiscent of the sun over the … More Random Travel Pic of the Week: Mississippi River, La Crosse, Wisconsin

Random Travel Photo of the Week: San Salvador Homes

July 31, 2012

San Salvador, El Salvador, Central America. Photo by Charish Badzinski. In El Salvador, the poorest families build their homes out of whatever they can find, from scrap metal to chain link fences to cardboard. Here you see homes lined along the railroad tracks, where trains still run regularly. Wealth in the country is highly polarized, … More Random Travel Photo of the Week: San Salvador Homes

Realizing the Life You Want: It’s All About Choices

July 6, 2012

On several occasions, I’ve heard people remark about my travels: “Must be nice.” Some say it when I’m not around. Others have said it to me directly. Sunset at Yellowstone National Park. Photo by Charish Badzinski. The comment used to feel like a personal jab.  Now, I have a different opinion. I feel sad for … More Realizing the Life You Want: It’s All About Choices

Independence Day and The Charm of Small Town Celebrations

July 5, 2012

Big cities can offer the best fireworks displays, the biggest, most exciting performances by renowned artists, and the largest variety of deep-fried fair foods. Traveling to a large city to celebrate Independence Day can be an extraordinary way to mark the occasion. You could watch fireworks in St. Paul, Minnesota, parked on a postage stamp … More Independence Day and The Charm of Small Town Celebrations