-
How 5 Gyres is Fighting Microplastics: A California Love Story of Activism and Science
Meet Anna Cummins and Marcus Eriksen: the Environmental Power Couple Behind 5 Gyres Story by Irina Abraham Somewhere among the California hills, there lies a piece of paradise adorned with legends of Steve McQueen’s buried motorcycles, carefully crafted dinosaur sculptures, and breathtaking sunsets. The most fascinating thing about this place is its residents: there is a poet, a gold-bearing athlete, a muralist, and a promising young filmmaker. A power couple runs the place – Anna Cummins and Marcus Eriksen. They have sailed the roaring seas, unearthed precious dinosaur bone, and were a part of a team that discovered plastic micro beads were taking over The Great Lakes. Lucky to be…
-
Things to Do in Las Vegas, Nevada Besides Gambling
Story and videos by Cassie Hepler, Submitted Photos I’ve never enjoyed gambling. Watching my hard-earned money disappear within seconds and not returning anything tangible is not my idea of a good time. I do however like to watch people gamble as a lot of my friends enjoy it. I legit learned in two hours watching someone that Blackjack, or 21, is literally counting cards except you’re not supposed to count cards. I also learned that if you get free play from a casino (which seems to be drying up like the desert in summer), to just stick to penny slots and hit buttons. For real, I have no clue WTF…
-
Exploring the South End of the Strip at The Berkley, Las Vegas in Nevada
Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler I almost gave up on Las Vegas, Nevada. My first visit was with the vagtastic voyage gals via Philadelphia in 2010 I think for a blow out birthday bash at The Luxor which yes, some of those stories will forever stay in Vegas. Fast forward to the last couple of times I visited and honestly, it was giving Get Out vibes each time. I couldn’t see the allure or appeal of staying anywhere on the strip, it just seemed too fast and stressful. When you go from city to city, there is no downtime only chaos and confusion to the next spot. I…
-
Why CBD Is a Natural Solution for Unwinding During Travel
Let’s be honest – travel can be absolutely exhausting, even when it’s supposed to be fun. Between navigating crowded airports, dealing with flight delays, adjusting to new time zones, and sleeping in unfamiliar beds, what should be an adventure often turns into a stress marathon. You may find yourself lying awake at 3 a.m. in hotel rooms, mind racing about tomorrow’s itinerary while your body refuses to adjust to the local time. While many travelers reach for a glass of wine or rely on over-the-counter sleep aids, there’s a growing interest in CBD as a more natural approach to managing travel-related stress. Unlike quick fixes that might leave you groggy…
-
Explore Maui, Hawaii from Aston Maui Hill Resort in Kihei on a Budget
Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler Getting to Maui, Hawaii for this vacation was like pulling teeth! Originally I had booked The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Ka’anapali through my Marriott affiliate deals which was a steal… but it was over my birthday on September 7 and we all know what happened then – the tragic Lahaina fires. Immediately I canceled everything once it happened that August and had to fight with The Westin to get refunded, but eventually it happened. My heart broke for this beautiful island and its amazing community of people. So once the new year rolled around in January, my friend offered to book her…
-
Best Places to Travel According to Your Zodiac Sign
This review is over 3 years old so hopefully they have worked out the app kinks! What could be better than holidays with ski slopes, mugs of mulled wine, and people pretending they love frostbite? In this magical period, you want to feel like you are in a movie: a little romance, a little snow and a lot of garlands. Or maybe that idea makes you cringe because as if you wouldn’t be on a beach with your toes in the sand?! In light of this, advisors at Nebula, a spiritual guidance platform, have created the ultimate guide for each zodiac sign’s perfect getaway. After all, who knows better what…
-
The Big Island Secrets of Hawaii
Story by Irina Abraham, photos by Irina Abraham and Keoni Abraham Is anyone else dreaming of Hawaii out there like I used to? All the beautiful images we see on Instagram with the beaches straight out of a fantasy movie, rainbows that seem to invite unicorns, gorgeous people shaking out their lush hair in slow-motion under the heavenly waterfalls. Don’t you just want to be one of those lucky ones sprawling on a pristine beach, sipping coconut water straight out of the shell? Well, I know I did. But it wasn’t only that, it was the mysticism and the romanticism of the islands: the magic, the energy, the spirits, and…
-
Art Car World Bringing Burning Man Vibes to Douglas, Arizona
Story, photos by Cassie Hepler Zooming straight away from my bed and breakfast in Bisbee to Douglas, Arizona is a short half hour ride out of the mountains and relatively easy to find at the newish location of Art Car World at 450 E. 8th St. Street, Douglas, AZ 85607. I met up with Harrod Blank, the brains and brand behind the mission outside and he was excited to share his master plans with me. Harrod has that kind of personality that you immediately take to, or maybe I did because we both have that one parent was all business and the other a hippy background. Regardless, we were fast…




















