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Step Into Art Deco Opulence at Loews Philadelphia Hotel
Story, photos and videos by Cassie Hepler I had my first heat migraine in Philadelphia… and home base is in Phoenix, Arizona now! Crazy, right?! It was the weirdest experience. I went downtown for a meeting on one of the hottest days recorded in Philly, made a silly little video near City Hall where the wind was trying to make my dress moon people in my granny panties nearby and went back to West Philly via the Septa trolley. I cranked on and down the AC, turned the lights off and took a couple Motrin. I couldn’t think straight and everything was confusing to someone who is usually smart as…
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Explore Down the Shore at Long Beach Island’s Daddy O Hotel in New Jersey
The Daddy O is a boutique-style hotel mere steps from the beach in Long Beach Island, NJ. “The sea does not reward those who are too anxious, too greedy, or too impatient. To dig for treasures shows not only impatience and greed, but lack of faith. Patience, patience, patience, is what the sea teaches. Patience and faith. One should lie empty, open, choiceless as a beach—waiting for a gift from the sea.” ― Anne Morrow Lindbergh, Gift from the Sea Story, photos by Sharon Kozden What I did on my summer vacation … not much. I wanted to do a lot, but the heat, oh the heat. This year, it was just…
- Day Trips, Destinations, Entertainment, Explore with Cassie, Food & Beverage, Latest News, Lifestyle
All Aboard the Moshulu, the World’s Oldest & Largest Tall Ship with Restaurant in Philadelphia
Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler The last time I visited the Moshulu Philly, it was to attend the launch of The Deck Philly which was in 2017, right before I moved to Arizona that New Year. Since then a lot has happened including Covid knocking out a ton of amazing restaurants and locations across Philadelphia which I’m discovering as I’m digging through archives on Explore with Cassie (formerly Explore-Philly.com) and having to throw in the digital trash sadly. The timing of all of this is very odd or maybe serendipitous, a lot of photos that are not supposed to be attached to the old site are somehow breaking…
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Build a Glamping Dome in Your Backyard with Phoenix Domes
Story by Cassie Hepler The price of housing is outrageous all across the United States. This is a not-so-fun fact we all feel from greedy corporate entities and our own government squeezing citizens for every last dime through creeping to 40% taxes on everything you do, eat, drink and where you live. I’m very goal-oriented and have been speaking to a number of think-outside-the-box brands over the years trying to find a solution to the housing madness. Fortunately, Arizona is pretty lax about additional living structures and especially now that the city of Phoenix has approved casitas in your backyard, glamping domes are a very cost effective way to secure…
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Sleep in a Glamping Dome at Tirrito Farm in WillCox, Arizona
Photos, story and video by Cassie Hepler The last time I drove down to Willcox, Arizona was a whirlwind press trip with Cochise County with a heavy focus on all the many wineries in Southern Arizona. Let me tell you, when your job is to drink wine for days, your body is like whoah Nelly what is going on here?! It was during the end of the chaotic Covid era, not that it mattered in Arizona. It was still the Wild West which reminded me why I moved here in the first place… laws are a little loosey goosey. That road trip also included an overnight in the wild, weird…
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Cool Down at Cannon Beach on the Oregon Coast
Story, photos by Cassie Hepler Welcome to my first time on the Oregon Coast but most certainly not my last… Checking off another travel box off the bucket list was visiting Portland, Oregon and driving out to the stunning Pacific Northwest Coast. Working with nearby Wilsonville, Oregon, I was connected with the friendly folks at Cannon Beach, Oregon and so happy it all came to fruition. With limited time and a pretty packed schedule, I was up and at ‘em, excited and ready to enjoy that salty air probably way too early Friday morning. What can I say, I love the beach! I also learned on the drive from Beaverton,…
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Explore the World’s Most Beautiful Waterfalls by Road Trip
I love me a good road trip! It helps clear your head, offer you time to think, cry, fart and sing along to your favorite tunes with little to no distractions. According to the International Drivers Association, these are the top 10 waterfalls in the world. With waterfalls captivating travelers with their raw power and natural beauty, some of the world’s most stunning falls are accessible via road trips. From thunderous falls to gentle cascades, here’s the perfect guide that highlights some of these incredible waterfalls you can enjoy from behind the wheel around the world. 1. Niagara Falls, USA & Canada One of the most famous waterfalls globally, Niagara…
- Destinations, Education, Entertainment, Explore with Cassie, Food & Beverage, Latest News, Lifestyle
Explore Luxury Tributary Hotel & Fine Dining at ōkta Restaurant in McMinnville, Oregon
Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler Tributary Hotel is easily one of the most luxurious boutique hotels I’ve experienced so far in the United States… and that says a lot! The luxury accommodations with suites named after each area river debuted in McMinnville, Oregon in summer of 2022, the center of Oregon’s Willamette Valley and largest city in Yamhill County but still retains a small town feel. This was the next stop on my road trip West of Portland and arrived just in the nick of time to shoot, change and get ready for dinner. The full experience restaurant next door, ōkta, honors the region and each season, offering…
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Explore Islas Marías, Former Prison Islands in Nayarit, Mexico
Story, photos, videos by Cassie Hepler If you have a dark edge to your soul like me, this all-the-feels Islas Marías (Mary Islands) will resonate well. I have this new thing I do, where I say yes to everything and figure it out later. This trip was one of those yes moments while I was still on a private press trip to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. I had no clue what I was agreeing to but I’m always up for an adventure, twice if I like it. Here’s the thing about Mexico: it’s got a bad rap in the United States even though honestly, the United States is starting to…
- Destinations, Education, Entertainment, Explore with Cassie, Food & Beverage, Latest News, Lifestyle
Fly to Puerto Vallarta Airport and Explore Nayarit, Mexico
Story, photos, video by Cassie Hepler Flying on an early morning flight from Phoenix Sky Harbor, Arizona to Puerto Vallarta Airport went pretty smoothly with a hosted American Airlines aisle seat. Mind you, international flights call for a two hour arrival buffer time although it makes no sense as you can check in online and just find your gate fast especially with TSA pre-check but airlines haven’t caught up yet I guess. Also, try not to check your luggage. You really don’t need all that stuff you packed, trust me. I’ll make a basic bitch carry on travel bag blog post soon, I promise. Much like the Cabo San Lucas…
