When I was a girl, my dad always tried to teach me about cars.  He pointed to what this thing was and he explained how it worked.   And I remember none of what he tried to teach me.  I remember looking at his tan, scarred hands, that grime under the nails that would never come out.  I can close my eyes and smell the mix of diesel fuel and cigarette smoke. That was the smell of my dad after a long honest day's work in the shop.  The literal blue collar with his name stitched across his chest.

To the Grand Canyon! Fall Break means its time to take a break and...

The Farm and The Mystery Castle are both fantastic ways to explore the history and legacy around the Phoenix area in unique experiences. Both support the local community, and would make for a wonderful morning.

What's Mom's number one job?"I would ask my girls as they were growing up. To keep us healthy & safe", they would dutifully recite.

Sipping morning coffee in the mountain air at Half Dome while watching the sunrise in Yosemite is one of the greatest moments I've ever had. I've written previously about my goal not just to see Yosemite, but to experience Yosemite. There is nothing like the experience of mixing fresh, hot coffee, with cold pine air, watching the light bounce off the icy needles in the trees.

My previous winters in Chicago always left me wishing I could be somewhere warm...