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
Seven Safety Tips for Tech-Savvy Travelers
If my recent airport experiences have taught me anything, it's that nearly everyone loves to travel with electronic gadgets, from laptops, tablets, and eReaders to smartphones, digital cameras, and Mp3 players. I, too, am guilty of owning and relying on almost all of the above, and though such technology can add a lot of value to my day-to-day existence (and, for that matter, my own travel experiences), it's also true that such a reliance on technology makes us all vulnerable to cyber thieves, especially while traveling. “Expensive electronics, and even more valuable data like pictures and videos, can,” according to FinderCodes, “be easily stolen if travelers aren’t being incredibly careful.” more >>
A Welcome Distraction in the Big Apple
Puzzles have always fascinated me. Sudoku, Hangman, Jumble, word searches, crosswords, cryptograms, logic problems, hidden object games, jigsaw puzzles – you name it, I've probably tried it – and as a traveler, such puzzles have often served as a welcome distraction while waiting for planes and trains, enduring long road trips, or standing in line at museums, movie theaters, restaurants, even the DMV. So, after featuring kid-friendly books and children's travel games in two recent posts, I thought it might be fun to explore similar distractions for traveling adults (like me!). more >>
Engaging Kids with GeoPalz and Wikki Stix
Over the past few years of writing this blog, I've often discussed packing essentials for travelers, including navigational tools, on-the-road diversions, RV-specific needs, and other must-pack items. Even the five-part holiday travel gift guide that I posted before and after Christmas featured a few specific packing suggestions. more >>
Celebrating the Marvel of Hot Air Ballooning
Yesterday, the streets of New Orleans were filled with Mardi Gras Day revelers. True, the French Quarter didn't seem nearly as crowded as it has in times past – which some residents attributed to bad weather reports, others to the multiple-victim shooting that occurred on Saturday night (not far from where my hubby, Dan, and I were watching the Krewe of Endymion), and still others to the weeklong interruption of the Carnival season by the 47th Super Bowl (a chaotic event that inspired extremely mixed reactions in the community). But, nevertheless, there were plenty of colorful costumes on display – and in general, people seemed to be having a grand old time, including me and Dan. 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.