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Explore With Cassie

Lifestyle & travel blog finding the unusual out of the ordinary.

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  • Day Trips,  Education,  Explore with Cassie,  Latest News,  Lifestyle

    Instagram Worthy Vacations Could be Killing Wildlife

    September 29, 2025 /

    We know… you absolutely LOVE corporate conglomerate bootlicking Meta via Instagram and getting that my-life-is-so-perfect photo for your grid however there seems to be some basic decorum in empathy lacking in today’s society. I don’t know if it’s bad manners or just plain lack of respect but it can be seen from something as simple as going to the grocery store (like move your cart out of the middle of the lane while you shop, for the love of God) to traveling where a stranger will literally elbow you out of the way – or worse in your shot – to get a good pic. It’s been the bane of…

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    Cassie Hepler

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    Indulge at The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa in Tucson, Arizona

    June 9, 2025

    Best Hidden Gem Hiking in Las Vegas, Nevada

    March 16, 2026

    Explore the Center of the World in Felicity, California

    April 13, 2026
  • Day Trips,  Destinations,  Education,  Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage,  Latest News,  Lifestyle

    Loews Hotel Philadelphia Sparks Red, White and Views at Fireworks Watch Party

    September 22, 2025 /

    Iconic, indeed! Loews Hotel Philadelphia’s 33rd floor really made for some exquisite panoramic views at the fireworks’ watch party. Story, photos by Sharon Kozden “I’ve learned through the years that it’s not where you live, it’s the people who surround you that make you feel at home.” – J.B. McGee “You must remember, family is often born of blood, but it doesn’t depend on blood. Nor is it exclusive of friendship. Family members can be your best friends, you know. And best friends, whether or not they are related to you, can be your family.” ― Trenton Lee Stewart Not to put too fine a point on it, but it’s…

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    Sharon Kozden

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    Lots of Fall Fun at the Pour the Core Festival at the Philadelphia Navy Yard

    August 15, 2018

    Recharge in Nature at Arizona’s Artists Home in Cottonwood

    October 10, 2023

    Visit California Wineries the Classy Way with San Diego Beer, Wine & Spirits Tour

    June 12, 2019
  • Destinations,  Education,  Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage,  Latest News

    Explore Copenhagen, Denmark without leaving the USA in Solvang, California

    September 15, 2025 /

    Story, photos and video by Cassie Hepler Welcome to Danish Disneyland aka Solvang, California! According to our spooky tour guide, Casey, from The Haunt Ghost Tours, that is what Michael Jackson allegedly called it. MJ’s Neverland Ranch (now Sycamore Valley Ranch) is located about 12 miles North of Solvang in the Santa Ynez Valley in Santa Barbara County, California. Allegedly, the king of pop even lived in self-imposed solitude at the ranch, sometimes visiting the town of Los Olivos and also Solvang. Casey said the reason there is a Subway and Domino’s but no other major corporate food chain stores is town is because those two were his favorites and…

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    Cassie Hepler

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    Explore the World’s Most Beautiful Waterfalls by Road Trip

    June 4, 2024

    Live Out Your Wild West Fantasies at White Stallion Ranch in Tucson, Arizona

    August 18, 2020

    Explore Chacchoben Ruins and Blue Lagoon in Costa Maya, Mexico

    April 4, 2023
  • Day Trips,  Destinations,  Education,  Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Latest News

    Pennsylvania’s Top 10 Fall Foliage Spots to Visit this Fall

    September 8, 2025 /

    Pennsylvania’s Top 10 Fall Foliage Spots We all know the East Coast has some of the best leaf peeping area across the USA. But nothing can relate to Pennsylvania’s breathtaking fall landscapes where the mountains and trees are lined with various autumn colors glowing in the sunshine. From the Pocono Mountains north of Philadelphia to the Laurel Highlands, it’s a must-see for anyone who is obsessed with exploring fall colors across the world. It’s the little things like nature’s beauty in life that make life worth living. Sometimes you have to step out of the rat race and regroup in peaceful serenity. Growing up in Central Pennsylvania and then living…

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    Cassie Hepler

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    Enjoy Desert Zen at Rancho de Los Caballeros Ranch Spa in Wickenburg, Arizona

    November 18, 2024

    Live Out Your Wild West Fantasies at White Stallion Ranch in Tucson, Arizona

    August 18, 2020

    Las Posadas of Sedona, Arizona is a Hidden Gem Boutique Hotel with Homemade Breakfast

    November 25, 2024
  • Destinations,  Education,  Explore with Cassie,  Latest News,  Lifestyle

    International Pet Travel Challenges, Tips & Tricks from a Digital Nomad

    August 25, 2025 /

    The Challenges of International Pet Travel: Lessons I’ve Learned Photos, story and video by Lauren Anders Brown As a digital nomad, traveling the globe has always been my passion. So why wouldn’t I want to share the thrill of travel with my best friend Paddington, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel? For years, Pads and I globe trotted across multiple continents.  Together, we took more than 75 flights: from the United States to the United Kingdom to Europe, and Bermuda. I remember our first international trip was especially difficult. I didn’t know what I was doing and had no one to help guide me. Hours of research later, I felt some…

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    Cassie Hepler

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    The Flower Fields

    Float Through The Flower Fields in Carlsbad, California

    February 20, 2024

    Things to Do in Santa Fe, New Mexico Off the Beaten Path

    April 27, 2026

    What To Do in Saint Martin Island in the Caribbean Sea

    February 10, 2025
  • Destinations,  Education,  Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Latest News,  Lifestyle

    Radisson Lackawanna Train Station Hotel in Scranton, Pennsylvania is Hauntingly Majestic

    August 18, 2025 /

    Story, videos by Cassie Hepler After I booked a flight to Central Pennsylvania to visit my family, a long-lost Philly friend and photographer reached out randomly to say hello. We decided to meet up on one of the hottest, record-breaking days in June over 100 degrees with humidity which is pure, sweaty Betty hell outside. The best bet place to meet halfway was Scranton, Pennsylvania and I asked him to find somewhere good to go and that he did! I was not expecting such an amazing, dreamy location existed but here we are – and it’s haunted to boot. And yes, Scranton is the inspiration city where The Office was…

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    Cassie Hepler

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    Exploring the South End of the Strip at The Berkley, Las Vegas in Nevada

    February 23, 2026
    St Joseph Catholic Church

    Rent a Car and Road Trip through Northwest Kansas

    January 15, 2024

    Escape to Paradiso at Hacienda Del Mar in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

    September 5, 2023
  • Destinations,  Education,  Explore with Cassie,  Latest News

    8 Budget Hacks for Last Minute Getaways

    August 11, 2025 /

    Story by Cassie Hepler This economy is complete shit and the American tourism world is taking a hit with no one wanting to visit our current fascist regime country. So if you’re itching to bust out of it, join the club! Whether you’re trying to get out of ‘Merica or just across the country for a change of pace, I’ve got you. I’ve been traveling the world since I was 16 years old when I caught the travel bug and have learned a lot in my many years since. Let me share some of my secrets with you! Escape the ordinary with last-minute getaways on a budget and stay sane…

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    Cassie Hepler

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    Live like a Queen in an 1,000 Year Old Castle, Castel di Luco in Italy

    June 8, 2026

    Enjoy Desert Zen at Rancho de Los Caballeros Ranch Spa in Wickenburg, Arizona

    November 18, 2024

    Portland, Oregon Chef Kyo Koo opens Asian-American Warsugai Restaurant

    May 8, 2024
  • Destinations,  Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage,  Latest News,  Lifestyle

    Cheerio! Exploring London, England a Second Time Around

    January 14, 2020 /

    Story, photos by Jill Beckel  London, England… a city known for its gray skies, beautiful architecture, culture, art, rich history, the River Thames, the British monarchy, pubs and tea. I was fortunate enough to have been able to study abroad in my college days for a term my sophomore year of college back in 2006. Since then, I’ve been yearning to go back and explore the city even more. I recently got the chance to make the trip back with my husband this time and it couldn’t have been better. All that I would have wished for was to have been able to stay longer! I knew that I wanted…

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    Jill Beckel

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    Snake Guru Saving all the Creepy, Crawly Critters in Arizona

    March 21, 2024

    Four Diamond We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort Offers Stay and Play Adventures

    June 17, 2021

    Cool Down Inside Pristine Kartchner Caverns in Benson, AZ

    August 17, 2022
  • Day Trips,  Destinations,  Entertainment,  Explore with Cassie,  Food & Beverage,  Latest News,  Lifestyle

    Drive a Boat in Lawless Lake of the Wild West in Lake Havasu City, Arizona

    May 2, 2018 /

    Photos, story by Cassie Hepler When London Bridge Resort reached out for a tour of now nearby to me Lake Havasu City, AZ, it was a no-brainer. Sparking turquoise water flanked by majestic copper canyons? It’s like a photographer’s dream so of course I was all in! One tourism tweet later on Twitter, I was connected to the lovely Jillian Danielson who is an amazing storm chasing photographer who also owns the well-known Lake Havasu go-to guide, River Scene Magazine. Lake Havasu City is in western Arizona about four hours west of Phoenix, AZ and near the border of Eastern California. It’s known as a base for trails in the…

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    Cassie Hepler

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    Art Car World Bringing Burning Man Vibes to Douglas, Arizona

    December 5, 2021

    Animatronic ‘Xtreme Bugs’ Invade Philly’s Academy of Natural Sciences at Drexel University

    November 20, 2018

    Tune Into the Sounds of the Season at Fairmount Park’s Historic Houses

    December 27, 2017
  • Destinations,  Explore with Cassie,  Latest News

    Adventures Driving Cross Country with a U-Haul

    February 20, 2018 /

    Photos, story by Cassie Hepler Somehow we made it… all the way across the country in a 2009 Kia with a U-Haul trailer hitch attached. Trying to move in the beginning of a bad winter was a horrible idea in retrospect but at least we took the Southern route. However, I had a lot of loose ends to wrap up along with moving out of a big ‘ol Philly row home I’d lived in for 12 years (!). It takes a while to sell most of your belongings and start fresh (thank goodness for Facebook Marketplace). I wanted to be out of there on New Years Eve day so I…

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    Cassie Hepler

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    Your Architectural Adventure: Starting Your Own Firm

    July 7, 2024

    Tropicana’s Chelsea Tower Brings Atlantic City, New Jersey Good Luxe

    December 5, 2018

    Escape to Valley Kitchen at Carmel Valley Ranch Resort for Otherworldly Cuisine

    August 21, 2018
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