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Explore The Odyssey’s Viking Ship Draken Harald Hårfagre in Oslo, Norway
Story by Cassie Hepler, Submitted Images and Video The Odyssey’s Viking Ship Draken Harald Hårfagre is blowing up! Not literally but visitors are going wild over the real Viking ship movie producer Christopher Nolan told the LA Times “became a character in the movie.” She’s the 115-foot Viking longship that carries Matt Damon‘s Odysseus throughout The Odyssey, built using traditional Norwegian boatbuilding methods and crewed by the actual sailors who worked directly into the shoot as extras. Since the film opened, she’s seen a real spike in visitors at the dock in Oslo, Norway with people coming out just to see the ship in person. She’s open to the public…
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How to Move to Greece as an American
Want to get the funk out of the fascist regime that is currently life in the USA? You’re not the only one who may be realizing that the United States of America is not the best country in the world as we were conditioned to believe since childhood classrooms, reciting our undying oath to the American flag and God… which I never did by the way, even as a kid it felt like I was being indoctrinated and I would just stand there and mumble some shit. Just like those disgusting force fed daily fluoride pills “to strengthen your teeth” that made my stomach hurt and I would stash them…
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It’s the Cats Meow at the Phoenix Feline Fanciers in Mesa, Arizona
Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler When my friend mentioned going to a cat show with Phoenix Feline Fanciers, I was all in before she finished that sentence! This is Arizona‘s biggest cat show after all and they claim to see up to 35 beautiful cat breeds but we certainly saw way more than that – and even held some which was a savory treat for this childless cat lady. Dubbed family friendly and for all ages, there were some children but mostly just cat lovers, fanatics and all the merch Miss or Mister Kitty can ever dream of under one roof. I don’t know why dog shows get…
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Desert Rose Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada Giving Condo Vibes
Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler Let’s explore the Desert Rose Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada! Located to the west of MGM Grand and walkable to the OYO Casino (formerly Hooter’s) are these boutique style condos that were formerly apartments, apparently a timeshare as well but you can book individually regardless or with your Wyndham points. After you check in, they will send you across the way to the timeshare desk to try to lure you into time-wasting deals such as a Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville cruise from Florida, seeing Vegas shows, $125 gift card, 30,000 Wyndham points and a “free” 2 night vacation where you have to attend another…
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Easy Hikes for Beginners in Bryce Canyon, Utah
Easy Hikes in Bryce Canyon Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler Celebrate the summer solstice by hiking Bryce Canyon, Utah! What better way to celebrate the seasons than immersing yourself in nature? We ended up with one of the hottest weeks in June so far and had to make due with the weather we were given. Also we were both healing from various injuries still and had to take it easy. If this was before the summer of hell 2025, I would have been shredding up all those trails in style and thirsty for more minus the heat. But alas, this is part of my story now and part…
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See the Dark Sky Stars at Bryce Glamp and Camp Domes in Bryce Canyon, Utah
Glamping Domes in Bryce Canyon, Utah Photos, video and story by Cassie Hepler Originally we were supposed to stay at another dome home space nearby in Bryce Canyon, Utah. But those domes are twice the price, heavily populated with so many people staying overnight which means everyone is driving by noisily on the gravel roads and a general this is not the fully immersed in nature vibe we signed up for. So the universe worked in our favor with the Bryce Canyon Country tourism board who delivered us to Bryce Glamp and Camp in the town of Holm, Utah, which is established in 2020 and it’s wild to think it…
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Explore Bryce Canyon Country from Stone Canyon Inn Cabins in Tropic, Utah
Cabins in Bryce Canyon, Utah Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler We were so excited to explore Bryce Canyon Country, Utah finally! This was a rescheduled press trip from last summer with Bryce Canyon Country that is now a gals road tripping adventure, low key style. Originally last July, we were supposed to join a group press trip that included horseback riding, ATVs through the canyons and group hikes which all are still not quite attainable to this day. Fortunately the tourism board was very understanding about the summer from hell 2025 and were more than happy to reschedule and arrange a private visit for me and a guest.…
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Stay and Play in a Private Condo at Hilton Scottsdale Resort & Villas in Arizona
Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler Everyone wonders what we do in Arizona when the weather gets to be over 100 degrees in the summer. We do a LOT of staycations in the valley to get out of the house! And it’s like reversed winter except we can leave the comfort of cool air conditioning, go to our cars with air conditioning and then go to the next spot with AC, no snow or icy roads trapping us inside for days on end. That’s why there are a lot of snowbirds we call them, people who flee for the summer and come back during peak season which is usually…
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Unique Things to Do in Ocho Rios and Kingston, Jamaica
Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler The last time I explored Jamaica was in 2010 with Carnival Destiny! This was before Carnival became problematic by the way, it was on par with Celebrity and other elevated cruise lines back then but meant for a younger, more professional crowd. Some of my favorite excursions included riding horseback on One Drop (because his one ear was floppy) who ended up running my leg into a tree but no damage done, the colorful market, enjoying squishy kayaks at White River Valley where eventually I popped out of mine after some rapids and just swam around in the crystal clear blue waters the…
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Flip the Script about Kingston, Jamaica with Locally Owned S Hotel Kingston
Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler Get into the Jamaican groove at S Hotel Kingston! Situated in the bustling capital of Kingston, Jamaica, the former Spanish Court Hotel is now under the S Hotels Jamaica umbrella which is ideal for everyone who wants to be close to business centers, tourist attractions and local restaurants within a gated community. A member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, S Hotels offer hospitality in the heart of Jamaica’s cultural capital. A 50-foot infinity rooftop pool with breathtaking views awaits along with Rocksteady Restaurant and the multiple pool bars serving up Jamaican delicacies and international cuisine. The Blue Mountains and infamous pirate…
