United States Travel

The United States is nothing if not vast and varied. From the West's open spaces and soaring mountains to the sprawling plains of the Midwest, the lush swamps and everglades of the South, the sophistication and beauty of the Eastern cities and quaint villages, to the vast lake regions of the Great Lakes region, this country is breathtaking.

Here we bring you an eclectic serving of stories, adventures, places to see, and things to do in this great nation. Enjoy!

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Cruising with Hawaiian Mantas and More

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Inches from my nose, a 12 foot manta ray gracefully slid up my face, arced backward … and came back for a second run.

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Feasting Aboard the Safari Explorer

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When the Kona coffee blackened mahi mahi, I knew the food aboard the Safari Explorer was something special.

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Real Quick Getaway: Whidbey Island, Washington

Eye-popping views are commonplace on Whidbey Island.

In the Northwest, Whidbey Island is a close-by natural retreat for the city-weary.

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Real Quick Getaway: Port Townsend, Washington

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Port Townsend is a jewel box of Victorian architecture and rich history that makes a great place for a getaway.

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Real Quick Get Away: San Juan Island, WA

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San Juan Island, the second largest island in the archipelago that makes up Washington’s San Juan Islands, makes a great getaway for a day, a weekend, or more.

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Island Creek Oyster Bar, Boston, MA: A Fresh Take on Seafood

Pasta made in-house with lobster roe is not only beautiful, it's wonderfully rich.

There’s a new kid on the culinary block in Boston, Island Creek Oyster Bar, and it’s making some serious waves.

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Real Good Eats: Black Canyon/Delta County, Colorado

The Black Canyon Cafe burger is one of the best I've ever eaten.

There are a lot of communities around the spectacular Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park that food lovers should explore for terrific food.

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Exploring Boston’s Mysterious Chinatown

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Boston is a city of neighborhoods and none is more vibrant and colorful than Chinatown. Step through the red and gold Chinatown gate at Beach and Hudson Streets and you’re transported into, what is for many of us, a secret and mysterious world.

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Mi Cocina Restaurant, Plano, TX: A popular local chain with great food

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I generally shy away from chain restaurants, but sometimes a small, local chain is born because the restaurant is too good not to multiply into additional locations. Such is the case with Mi Cocina Restaurant in Plano, Texas, a happening suburb about 30 minutes from Dallas.

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Gig: the Perfect Fall Getaway

The sautéed clams and mussels in arbol chile broth at Brix 25 are worth a taste.

The charming community of Gig Harbor lays 10 minutes over the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, or about an hour from Seattle if you’re scooting down I-5. This picturesque maritime village is ideal for a carefree fall getaway.

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Oyster Crazy in the Florida Panhandle

"Oysters Japanoise," raw oysters served with flying fish roe, ponzu sauce, chives and wasabi at Boss Oyster restaurant in Apalachicola, Florida.

Okay, probably the majority of you out there aren’t going to get to eat oysters two minutes fresh from the water aboard an oysterman’s boat. But you can come close.

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Julian, CA: Pie Town and So Much More

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The daffodils were in bloom when I ascended 4,235 feet out of the Anza-Borreno Desert into Julian, a historic California mining town established in a fertile valley beneath Vulcan Mountain.

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