Travel & Food

Learning to Surf at the Base of the Wind River Mountains — InsideHook

Choose Your Own Way to Unwind on South Padre Island — Local Profile

Who Needs Venice When There Are Gondolas in Irving? — Texas Highways

Find Your Place in the Sun at These Total Solar Eclipse Events — Texas Highways

A first-timer’s guide to the Texas Hill Country: wineries, watering holes and wildflowers — Lonely Planet

How Antarctic Cruises Fund Nature Research — Worth magazine

25 Most Beautiful Places in Texas, According to a Born and Raised Texan — Travel + Leisure

Next Stop: Comfort Food — Local Profile magazine

Shell of a Good Time — Texas Highways

How to Spend a Weekend in Rouen, France — Local Profile magazine

I’ve Lived in Texas All My Life, and These Are My Favorite Hidden Gems in the State — Travel + Leisure

10 Must-See Holiday Light Displays in Texas — Texas Highways

The Best Towns to See Along France's Seine River — Local Profile magazine

How to Be a Respectful and Responsible Traveler When on Indigenous Lands — Inside Hook

The Best Things to Do in Cleburne, Texas — Southern Living

Ancient Artistry — Texas Highways

Get All the Scary Details About Texas’ Haunted History on These Ghost Tours — Texas Highways

5 One-Tank Road Trips from Dallas — Roadtrippers

Why Doesn’t Texas Have an Ice Cream Capital? — Texas Highways

Scandinavian Cities Are Seeing More Tourists as Global Temperatures Rise — Inside Hook

Truffle Hunting In the Truffle Capital of the World — Inside Hook

What the Well? Why It Took Mineral Wells So Long to Become the Official Wellness Capital of Texas — Texas Highways

14 Glamping Spots in Texas — With Luxury Safari Tents, Modern Tree Houses, and Vintage Trailers — Travel + Leisure

The Best Things To Do In Grand Prairie, Texas — Southern Living

The Best Things To Do In McKinney, Texas — Southern Living

13 Best Places to Visit in Texas, According to a Local — Travel + Leisure

This Small Texas Town Has Less Than 1,000 Residents — and It's the 'Cowboy Capital of the World' — Travel + Leisure

Celebrate Spring Wildflowers in Texas at These Festivals and Trails — Texas Highways

Pop Culture and History Converge on Fort Worth’s Stars of the Stockyards Tour — Texas Highways

Where To Get Your King Cake and Beignet Fix in Texas This Mardi Gras Season — Texas Highways

America's Oldest Dried Bean Company Turns 100 — Southern Living

7 Resorts In Texas For The Ultimate Lone Star Escape — Southern Living

Where To See The Best Christmas Light Displays In Texas — Southern Living

Arctic Cocooning Is the New, Cozy Winter Version of Forest Bathing — Thrillist

Decatur’s LBJ Grasslands Are a Paradise for Nature Lovers — Texas Highways

Peaches, Western history, and delicious eats collide in Weatherford — AAA

The Brennans' Banana History in New Orleans Goes Beyond Bananas Foster — Country Roads

The Best Things To Do In Wimberley, Texas — Southern Living

6 Best Weekend Getaways in Texas for National Park Adventures, Luxury Resorts, and Small-town Charm — Travel + Leisure

King Ranch Is Turning Its Invasive Mesquite Problem Into Bourbon — Texas Monthly

The Top Things To Do In Johnson City, Texas — Southern Living

Overlanding Tips from Subaru Owners — Subaru Drive

12 Ways To Spend A Weekend In Brenham, Texas — Southern Living

What’s in a Name? Exploring the stories behind Texas towns’ novel nomenclature — Texas Highways

One Hawaii Woman's Complicated Quest to Save the Feral Cats of Lanai — SF Gate

The Best Things to Do in Denton, Texas — Southern Living

Have Fun in Kerrville, Texas—A Hill Country Favorite — Southern Living

Beaumont Is the Cajun Capital of Texas You Need to Know About — Southern Living

Frisco, Texas Is the Dallas-Fort Worth Suburb Worthy of a Visit — Southern Living

Ripe from the Vine: Slate Theory Winery Shakes Up the Texas Wine Scene - Texas Highways magazine

Enjoying nature, history, and good food on a Corpus Christi vacation - A guide to Corpus Christi for AAA Explorer

Best in Tow — Chefs bring big-time flavor to small-town Graham for the Food Truck Championship of Texas

10 Trips Inspired by History-Making Women — I wrote the piece about Harriet Tubman for this Afar article.

16 Best State Parks in Texas — Deserts, mountains, bayous, waterfalls, rivers, and more collide for an all-star lineup of state parks in Texas.

San Antonio Chef Steve McHugh Digs Into His New Orleans Roots for Mardi Gras — The owner of Landrace shares his favorite Mardi Gras tips, dishes, and memories from years spent in the Big Easy.

This Tiny European Island — With a Population of 2 — Is Perfect for a Vacation Without the Crowds — With stunning blue waters, sea caves, cliffs, and a remote location, Comino is full of swashbuckling adventure.

8 Amazing National Parks and Sites in Texas for Beautiful Views, Epic Trails, and Wildlife Spotting — Mountains, mammoths, and missions abound.

30 Best Things to Do in Austin, Texas — From Nightlife to Barbecue Restaurants — Outdoor adventures, insightful museums, and one-of-a-kind sites are among the best things to do in Austin, Texas.

6 Must-visit 'Harry Potter' Filming Locations in Oxford, England — Follow the footsteps of Rowena Ravenclaw and Godric Gryffindor all the way to Oxford, England.

This Remote Hawaiian Island Is a Nature Lover's Paradise With Excellent Snorkeling, Waterfalls, and Fresh Seafood — Here's how to spend a perfect day on Molokai, Hawaii's fifth-largest island.

Watch the Sunrise From the Highest Point in Maui and Enjoy Epic Stargazing at This Hawaii National Park — Zip-lining adventures and stunning wildlife are also on offer at Haleakalā National Park.

Spearfishing for Sturgeon, the Living Dinosaurs of the Midwest — On Wisconsin’s frozen Lake Winnebago, spearing a 200-pound sturgeon isn’t just a Moby Dick fantasy, it’s a family affair.

The First and Only Ritz-Carlton in Turks and Caicos Just Opened — and It Has Delicious Food, Amazing Snorkeling, and Luxury Catamaran — Floating cabanas, sunset sails, and Ritz-Carlton flair collide on Grace Bay Beach.

The 8 Best Small Towns in Texas — From desert art installations to kayak trips through the bayou, here's where to enjoy small-town charm across the state.

Everything Is Peachy With the Return of the Parker County Peach Festival — A rundown on the 2021 Peach Festival.

Experience Frida Kahlo’s Casa Azul Without Leaving Texas — A new exhibit at the San Antonio Botanical Garden explores Frida Kahlo's Casa Azul. Photo courtesy of San Antonio Botanical Garden

Fredericksburg’s 175th Anniversary: 4 Things to Check Out This Weekend — This article highlights the opening May events for Fredericksburg's 175th anniversary. Photo courtesy of Lee Ann Whatley

Where to Celebrate Cinco de Mayo Across Texas — Written in May 2021, this piece highlights events and festivities across Texas for Cinco de Mayo. Photo courtesy Kevin B. Stillman

10 Residents Live in Isolation in Hawaii's Last Leprosy Community — This piece, published in May 2021 for SFGate, explores the Kalaupapa community last was once exiled to this remote peninsula in Molokai. Photo courtesy of SFGate/Getty Images

Craft Barbecue is Taking Over Texas' Suburbs — For the May 2021 issue of Texas Highways, I wrote about craft barbecue businesses bringing fine 'cue to Texas' suburbs. Photo courtesy of Melanie Grizzel

Hawaii has safely welcomed more than 2.3M tourists. Here's how the state did it. — This piece for SFGate examines Hawaii's Safe Travels Hawaii program that was implemented during the pandemic. Photo courtesy of SFGate/Getty Images

Nature's Nursery — For Texas Co-op Power magazine, I wrote about the endangered Kemp's ridley sea turtles on the Texas Coast, and how beachgoers should behave it they see one. Photo courtesy of Texas Co-op Power/Sue Wolfe

This Stunning Ranch Resort in West Texas Has 13,000 Acres of Land to Spread Out in Luxury — This article was published in January 2021 for Travel + Leisure and covers the JL Bar Ranch in Sonora, Texas.

How Volunteers Are Trying to Save a Remote Hawaiian Paradise From Invasive Species — This article for SF Gate ran in January 2021. It covers the hard work Molokai Land Trust is doing to rescue and beautify the Mokio Preserve on Molokai. Photo courtesy of Molokai Land Trust

Funky Town Fridge Is Helping Fort Worth Fight Food Insecurity — Published December 2020, this piece is about a local community fridge helping its citizens through hard times. Photo courtesy of Kendra Richardson

Rock Art Trail in Grapevine Brings Solace During Pandemic — This article, published December 2020 is about the Parr Park Rock Art Trail that was created during the pandemic. Photo courtesy of Ron Olsen

Making Spirits Bright — This article appeared in the December 2020 issue of Texas Highways magazine. It's about glühwein and its German-Texan roots. Photo courtesy of Texas Highways

These Native American Women Are Claiming the Space They Deserve in Art and History — This article was published in November 2020 for Travel + Leisure. It focuses on Native American women artists and their work. Photos courtesy of Travel + Leisure

Small-Town Business Spotlight: Weatherford's Doss Heritage and Culture Center Takes History Online — This article, published in July 2020, discusses how the Doss Heritage and Culture Center has shifted much of the museum's aspects to a digital platform. Photo Courtesy of Doss Heritage and Culture Center

My Favorite Texas Trip: To Grandmother's House We Go — This article was published in July 2020 and is an essay about my childhood memories of road trips from North Texas to South Texas. Photo courtesy of Amanda Ogle

Weatherford Shifts Annual Parker County Peach Festival to Parker County Peach Week — This article details how Peach Week will look this year. Photo courtesy of the Weatherford Chamber of Commerce

"Plogging" Might Be the Next Outdoorsy Trend in Texas — The Swedish fitness movement, a mix of jogging and picking up trash, is a new reason to commune with nature. Photo courtesy of Water Environment Association of Texas.

COVID-19 Makes it Harder to Track Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtles on Padre Island — It's nesting season for sea turtles on Padre Island, and COVID-19 is making it more difficult to track turtles for protection. Published May 2020 for Texas Highways. Photo courtesy of the National Park Service

Small-Town Dispatches: Bulverde Residents Lean on Each Other for Food and Support During COVID-19 — Published in April 2020, this article is for the Small-Town Dispatches series for Texas Highways magazine, which focuses on how small towns across Texas are supporting fellow citizens during COVID-19. Photo courtesy of Texas Carpet Baggers

5 Ways to Watch Texas Zoo Animals at Home — ​This article gives insight into how to virtually visit Texas zoos while they're closed due to COVID-19. Published in April 2020 for Texas Highways. Photo courtesy of the Dallas Zoo

Step Up Your Kitchen Game with These Texas Cookbooks — In the midst of COVID-19, consult these cookbooks to spice up your at-home cooking game. Published for Texas Highways in April 2020.

How You Can Support Small-Town Texas Businesses During Social Distancing Due to COVID-19 — For this piece, I combed through Texas Highways' archives and reached out to small businesses across the state. The goal was to mention what small businesses are doing during the COVID-19 pandemic so that perhaps people might support them by buying to-go meals, wine, etc. This was published in April 2020.

8 Quirky Texas Museums to Visit — Published in February 2020, this article highlights some of the quirkiest museums across Texas. Photo by Steven Leary

You Definitely Should Go Chasing These Magnificent Frozen Waterfalls in Canada — Located in Wells Gray Provincial Park, these gorgeous frozen falls scream winter wonderland. Published for Travel + Leisure in February 2020.

London's East End Is Home to Some of the City's Best Food — Here's Where to Eat — This article for Travel + Leisure was published in January 2020 and highlights some of the best places to eat in London's East end.

The Dough You Know — What started as a Depression-era business idea has become a community staple. Hutch's Pie and Sandwich Shop has been serving Weatherford, Texas for more than 80 years. This article appeared in the January 2020 issue of Texas Highways magazine.

9 Castles You Can Visit on a Day Trip from London — Housing endless royal and elite families throughout the years, these castles near London are worth the trip. Published January 2020 for Travel + Leisure.

Equality for All — This article is about major brands that are taking a stand for LGBTQ communities. It was published in the December 2019 issue of Delta Sky magazine.

Where to Go Before and After Machu Picchu to Prevent Altitude Sickness — How to travel to Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Lima, and Machu Picchu without getting altitude sickness. Published for Travel + Leisure in December 2019.

Everything You Need to Know About Barranco, Lima's Coolest Neighborhood — After touring through Lima's Barranco neighborhood, I wrote this article for Travel + Leisure about the must-visit places to eat, drink, shop, and more. Published in November 2019.

Visit Real-life Sites From "Downton Abbey" With an Exclusive Look at Highclere Castle on Viking's New Cruise Extensions — For this article, I went to London for the world premiere of the "Downton Abbey" movie and experienced some of Viking Cruises' pre- and post-cruise extensions that involve Highclere Castle and other spectacular castles in and around London. This article was published by Travel + Leisure in October 2019.

This Luxury Train to Machu Picchu Winds Through the Peruvian Highlands in Style — There are a few train options for getting to Machu Picchu, but this option by PeruRail is one of the more luxurious, beautiful rides. Published by Travel + Leisure in August 2019.

Take a Trip Through the First U.S. State to Allow Women to Vote— This article is all about women's suffrage history in Wyoming, the first place in the U.S. that allowed women to vote, 51 years before the 19th amendment. Published by OZY in August 2019.

Daytrippin': Granbury, Texas — This article was published in the April/May issue of Tex Appeal magazine.

New Orleans Plantation Country Is Everything You Love About Mardi Gras Without the Wild Crowds — Published in February 2019, I wrote this piece for Travel + Leisure about how to celebrate Mardi Gras outside the French Quarter. Photo courtesy of Louisiana's River Parishes

A Terminal-by-terminal Guide to DFW Airport — This DFW airport guide gives tips on dining, shopping, parking, transportation, and more. Published by Travel + Leisure in February 2019. Photo courtesy of DFW airport

Where to Find the World's Best Hot Chocolate — This article for Travel + Leisure was published in December 2018 and discusses some of the best hot chocolates found around the world. Photo courtesy of the Four Seasons

What on Earth is Forest Bathing? (And Where on Earth Did It Come From?) — This article for Adventure.com was published in December 2018 and discusses the Japanese practice of forest bathing, a meditative practice used for mental and physical restoration with an interesting history.

Feeling the Moxy In Times Square — This piece for Texas Lifestyle magazine tells about the Moxy Times Square, a boutique hotel in Manhattan. Published November 2018. Photo by Warren Jagger

New Mexico's Sky Will Be Filled With Colorful Hot Air Balloons This Weekend — Here's What It's Like to Take a Ride — I took a hot-air balloon ride through the desert of New Mexico and was able to help with the set up. Click the image to read about my experience at Travel + Leisure. Published October 2018. Photo by Savid McNew/Getty Images

More Than Riesling — This piece in the October 2018 issue of Virtuoso Traveler discusses Franconian wine, which is only found in the Franconian region of Germany.

The Best Wineries in Texas You Can Actually Visit — This article highlights some of the best wineries in Texas. Published August 2018 for Culture Trip. Photo by William Chris Vineyards

The Very Best Resorts in Texas — This article lists the best resorts in Texas. Published August 2018 for Culture Trip. Photo by Lake Austin Spa Resort

The Best Distilleries to Visit in Texas — This story for Culture Trip is about the best distilleries to visit in Texas. Published August 2018. Photo by Whiskey Ranch

Fort Worth's Clay Pigeon Is Taking Flight — This article for Texas Lifestyle magazine is about Fort Worth's Clay Pigeon restaurant and includes and interview with its new executive chef. Published August 2018. Photo by Brian Huston

How to Spend 48 Hours in Fort Worth, Texas — Western swag, hipster vibes, and southern charm collide in Fort Worth, Texas. Here, a guide to spending a couple of days in Cowtown. Published July 2018 for Culture Trip. Photo by Nevskii Dmitrii / Shutterstock

What to Eat at Fort Worth's Food Truck Park — While it's smaller than other food truck parks, Fort Worth's food truck park is making a name for itself. Published July 2018 for Culture Trip. Photo by Blulz60 / Shutterstock

The Best Things to Do in Cleburne, Texas — Located about an hour south of the DFW metroplex, Cleburne is a great small town to escape to for a weekend. Published July 2018 for Culture Trip. Photo by Tucker PR

The 6 Best Barbecue Spots in Texas Hill Country — Everyone has their favorites. Here, some of the best barbecue spots in Texas Hill Country. Published July 2018 for Culture Trip. Photo by Wyatt McSpadden

The Best Zoos in Texas to Experience Wildlife This article talks about some of the best zoos in Texas and what each has to offer. Published July 2018 for Culture Trip. Photo by Jessica Weiller / Unsplash

How to Safari in Texas — ​This article discusses where to go on wildlife safaris in Texas. Published July 2018 for Culture Trip. Photo by sutirta budiman / Unsplash

The Best Margaritas to Try On Santa Fe's Margarita Trail — In honor of National Tequila Day, this piece highlights some of the best margaritas to sample along Santa Fe's Margarita Trail. Published July 2018 for Culture Trip. Photo by Tourism Santa Fe

The Best National Parks and Sites in Texas — This piece highlights Texas' national parks and National Park Service-protected sites. Published July 2018 for Culture Trip. Photo by JB Manning / Shutterstock

The 10 Best Places for Pie in Texas — Trek across Texas for some of the best pie you'll ever eat. Published July 2018 for Culture Trip. Photo by Jennifer Pallian / Unsplash

Vail, the Culinary Gem of the Rockies — This story for Texas Lifestyle magazine focuses on the incredible food scene in Vail, Colorado. This piece was published in June 2018. Photo by Colorado Tourism Office/Matt Inden/Miles

The Best Summer Festivals in Small-Town Texas — Celebrate mosquito, watermelon, and more at these small-town festivals that draw big crowds. Published June 2018 for Culture Trip. Photo by Davide25 / Pixabay

The 5 Best Beaches to Visit in Texas — Head down to the Texas coast and visit some of the best beaches in the state. Published June 2018 for Culture Trip. Photo by Roschetzky Photography/Shutterstock

The Best Water Parks to Visit in Texas — From kiddie splash pads to thrilling rides, a guide to the best water parks in Texas. Published June 2018 for Culture Trip. Photo by Schlitterbahn Waterparks and Resorts

The Best State Parks in Texas — A roundup of the best state parks across Texas. Published in June 2018 for Culture Trip. Photo by Rico Larroque / Pixabay

Fit Island Guide: St. Lucia — This short article for A Sweat Life details a few of my recommendations for a healthy and active vacation to St. Lucia.

48 Hours in St. Petersburg, Florida — This piece for Furthermore gives tips on how to spend two health-conscious days in a city praised for its glorious, sunny days. It was published in March 2018.

A Weekend in Weatherford — This piece was published in the March 2018 issue of Texas Highways magazine. It highlights all of the special sites a traveler should visit on a weekend trip to the town.

Living History — This article was published in the February 2018 issue of Virtuoso Traveler and gives readers a look into Uniworld's new Jewish heritage cruises and excursions. Cultural cruises are becoming more and more popular, and the sidebar gives info on other cruise lines offering cultural cruise trips.

Wildlife Watch at Big Bend Ranch State Park — This article for Texas Highways magazine was published online in September 2017. For this piece, I talked with Big Bend Ranch State Park superintendent Nate Gold about what types of wildlife to watch for at the park during the fall season. He gives great tips on what to do in case of a bear or mountain lion encounter, too.

The Tiniest Hotel Rooms Worth Sleeping In This listicle went live online for Paste Magazine in May, 2017. Pod hotels -- tiny, functional rooms for travelers looking to spend less money yet still have functionality -- are popping up everywhere. I've rounded up some of the best from around the world to give your travels a little something extra. Photo by Kerry Maguire

Hidden Delights — I wrote this story about dive eatery The Shed, located in Weatherford, Texas, for the March 2017 issue of Texas Highways magazine. The Shed is the best kept secret in town, and only open for lunch. The lines are totally worth the wait, and the connecting antique treasure chest of David's Stove Shop makes this destination a necessary stop during your travels. Photo by Robert Hart

On the Peninsula — This short sidebar appears alongside a story about Mérida, Mexico in the January/February 2017 issue of Virtuoso Life.

Oh, What a Night — This piece about streets in Texas with great nightlife appeared in the January 2017 issue of Texas Highways magazine. Photo by Michael Amador

Set, Sail, Stay — This is my last piece as a staff member at American Way, and it appears in the November 2016 issue. I traveled to St. Lucia to learn about island culture and experience a small resort's 50th anniversary for this piece.

Sun, Sand and Sustainability — This piece was in the September 2016 issue of American Way. I traveled to Aruba to write about all things sustainable in a place that is striving to become the first totally green Caribbean island by 2020.

Grown-Up Getaway — This story from the August 2016 issue of American Way is about the adult summer camp, Camp No Counselors. I attended a Camp No Counselors in Austin, Texas in order to write this fun piece.

Hollywood East — This is the Maps & Legends destination feature from the May 2016 issue of American Way. This piece features go-to spots in Wilmington, North Carolina to visit that have to do with the film industry. Wilmington is known as Hollywood East, as it has more than 400 film credits and the largest filming facility in the U.S. outside of California.

He Chalks the Line — This is a write up I did for D Magazine for the FrontBurner section of the May, 2015 issue. Photo by Billy Surface