Nomadic Matt in Madagascar looking out at the sweeping view
Posted: 11/04/19 | November 4th, 2019

As travel blogging, remote work, and social media “influencing” have become more mainstream, more and more people have started to travel the world (and become semi-permanent nomads). There are far more people going off on long trips today than when I started traveling only a little over a decade ago. There’s less pushback today than in yesteryear when you say, “I’m going to travel for a while” instead of going right to college or an office job.

But for all the gains that have been made in terms of making long-term travel more acceptable, it’s still fairly uncommon.

Yes, more people are doing it, but it’s still not huge numbers. A 2017 study from Expedia shows that one-week or two-week trips are the average lengths of time that people spend overseas each year.

Why don’t more people travel long-term?

Not the “ten years a nomad” kind. (Few people are going to do that.) I’m referring to the “just for a few months on the road” kind.

Yes, lack of free time has something to do with it (especially for us Americans!).

So does money.

In the United States, our “vacation culture” also plays a big role in this. (See this post for more on that.)

But I think those are easy go-to excuses people use to hide the real, deeper reason they don’t travel.*

After all, there are plenty of ways to travel cheap if you know where to look for advice, and there are plenty of people who have the time to travel but don’t. Money and time can’t explain it all.

So what are the real reasons that keep people from traveling?

Fear and self-doubt.

Fear of running out of money, being alone, possible danger, getting off the career trek, sick, having no safety net — there’s an endless list of fears people have about travel. It’s scary jumping headfirst into the unknown and leaving your entire life behind, with nothing but a backpack and a dream.

Our comfort zones may make us unhappy or bored at times, but more often than not, they keep us just happy enough to resist change. We may hate our routine, we may complain, we may daydream — but we don’t often change. It’s the devil we know. It’s where we feel safe.

Plus, our DNA tells us to favor safety over risk. Why leave the cave to venture where the monsters live, when we can stay safe inside our shelter and live another day? To go out into the night is to court danger and death. Our primitive brain screams to us: Stay here! This is safety! This is life!

So, while people everywhere might dream of traveling the world, it is only those whose desire is strong enough who head out — and stay out — on the road.

But strong enough to do what?

Strong enough to overcome the instincts — and societal norms — that tell you not to leave your safe harbor.

Strong enough to overcome the fears of people who love you — like my parents, who still to this day email me travel warnings and news of terrorist attacks.

Strong enough to overcome the negativity of those who share your dream — but not your intestinal fortitude.

But most importantly, strong enough to overcome your self-doubt.

The questions people ask me (after “Is it safe?”) are always the same, whether by email or on my book tours:

“Do you meet travelers like myself out there?”

“Do you get lonely?”

“How do you deal with language issues?”

All of these questions share an underlying theme: “I’m worried I don’t have the skills to survive.”

I know this self-doubt all too well.

As I faced the daunting task of turning my travel dreams into a reality back in 2006, I too worried about this. While trudging through the seemingly endless preparations, I discovered a new daily mantra: “Fuck, what am I getting myself into?”

I didn’t so much care about shirking my responsibilities. Bills disappear when you cancel the services that generate them. Cars payments go away when you sell your car. And I knew my job at the hospital wasn’t going to be my career, so I had no worries about walking away from it.

What worried me were the personal skills I thought I needed to have to travel — the courage, the ability to go with the flow, the ability to talk to strangers, the confidence, the maturity — and whether or not I had enough of any of them after just two two-week trips over two years to two countries that were full of English-speaking travelers like me.

Yes, I knew that a lot of people travel the world. I had seen hundreds of them in Thailand after all. But unlike those people, I wasn’t “hardened” or “experienced.” Heck, I got scammed three times in one day in Thailand, and in Costa Rica I got lost in a jungle!

I was a sheltered child who had never ventured far beyond his safe harbor. Did I really have what it took?

Fear and self-doubt whispered constantly in my ear.

But, being stubborn and having already committed to doing this trip, I couldn’t turn back.

I daydreamed about the crazy things that would happen to me on the road. I’d make friends from around the world. I’d try adventure activities. I’d hike mountains and sail down exotic rivers. Locals would invite me out for drinks. I’d sip a latte, strike up a conversation with my beautiful waitress, and then the next thing I’d know, we’d be at a wine bar, staring into each other’s eyes.

It was going to be just like those travel articles I’d read, or movies I’d seen and romanticized.

Elsewhere was out there — and it was calling me.

And then, when I was finally out the road, I realized something:

I was not Magellan.

I wasn’t setting sail into the unknown horizon, wondering if I was going to fall off a flat earth.

No, I was walking on well-trod tourist trails. I had guidebooks. If all those backpackers in Thailand could do it, why couldn’t I? If 18-year-olds fresh out of high school could manage a year around the world, so could I. In fact, I had made it through Costa Rica and Thailand. I had made friends there. I had talked to strangers.

And that’s something I tell travelers now.

We aren’t Magellan. We aren’t setting off into the blankness of history to chart new worlds. The next Magellans will colonize the moon. We’re simply getting on an airplane and going where others have gone before.

That’s the difference between the early explorers and what we do: we’re trying to have new experiences and learn about ourselves — but we aren’t uncovering blanks spots on a map. We’re walking in others’ footsteps, and we can be grateful to them even as we blaze new personal trails.

That doesn’t make our journey less special. The world is full of new stories and adventures that are special to us. I didn’t need to discover Thailand to enjoy Thailand — the journey and experience were what mattered.

***

The hardest part of the journey is the mental preparation. Once you are out of safe harbor, you will feel the wind in your sails. Action begets action. As the shoreline drifts further away, the wind picks up and carries you like Gulliver to unknown lands. And once you’re out there, your fears fade away as excitement and a sense of adventure take over.

You are too busy having fun to worry about worrying anymore.

If you’re worried about having the skills to travel long-term, don’t. We’re all just figuring it out anyways. No one knows what to do when they step out the door the first time.

And remember: millions have come before you. They made it. They too were strangers in a strange land, without friends, family, or a support system.

There were people and systems out there that helped them along the way.

Those travelers made it.

I made it.

And, I promise, you will make it too.

*Note: I get that not everyone can travel (for other very legitimate reasons), and I don’t mean to imply that travel is for everyone. For more on that, see this post.

Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe, so you always know no stone is being left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the largest inventory. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com, as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. I use them both all the time.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it, as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

Looking for the best companies to save money with?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all those I use to save money when I travel — and they will save you time and money too!

The post Why Don’t More People Travel Long-Term? appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

Happy Saturday friends! Well, we have turned the calendar to November and things are starting to get real as we dive into the Holiday season full force. Thanksgiving is this month and I think you’ll enjoy all the inspiring posts from my friends below, so I hope you’ll check them all out. We’ll all be thinking about Thanksgiving and then Christmas and it will be a flurry of activity very soon!

Enjoy and have a wonderful weekend. Lauren is home with the girls for the next few days and we will be plenty of busy around here! 

The post Home Style Saturday 163 appeared first on Southern Hospitality.

Curious about the travel gear I bring with me on my international adventures? I’ve put together this gear page to share my long-term travel packing list. Obviously, I recommend traveling with high-quality, lightweight & durable stuff.

The travel gear I use may not work for everyone. I carry extra photography equipment to maintain this travel blog, along with camping equipment for trekking up mountains, hitchhiking long distance, or exploring rainforests on my own.

All travelers have different tastes & requirements while on the road. The following gear list is just what I’ve found works best for MY particular “adventure” travel style.

Travel Gear

While I often travel on an extreme budget, my gear can be expensive. I want it to be functional, multi-purpose, comfortable, and very tough. I don’t want to keep replacing worn-out equipment every few months while abroad — plus I have a slight obsession with keeping travel gear as lightweight as possible!

“He who would travel happily must travel light.”
~ Antoine de St. Exupery

(One of my favorite quotes about travel!)


Top Travel Gear List For 2019

Travel Luggage: Rolling Bag VS Backpack

Ah, the eternal question. Travel backpack, suitcase, or rolling duffel? This is going to come down to personal preference — and what kind of traveling you plan to do.

If you’re riding chicken-buses through Central America or hitchhiking around Africa, you’ll probably want a travel-friendly backpack. If you spend a lot of time in cities or fly frequently, you might prefer a rolling duffel or suitcase.

I started vagabonding around the world with a backpack, but my travel style has changed over the years, where I now find a rolling duffel bag more convenient for most things.

Mainly, due to carrying a lot more photography gear for my work on this travel blog.


My Main Travel Bags

I currently travel with 3 different bags. A rolling duffel as my main bag, a backpack for mountain trekking or wilderness trips, and a carry-on camera backpack.

I usually only need to check one bag, the rolling duffel. The hiking backpack can lie-flat inside it. For bigger trips that require more technical gear (like winter camping), I’ll check both.


North Face Rolling Thunder


My current favorite travel bag with plenty of room, heavy-duty lockable zippers and a waterproof shell. A seperate compartment for hiking boots, and big wheels for dirt roads & cobblestones.


Gregory Zulu 55 Backpack


This lightweight, super comfortable overnight trekking & travel backpack includes full front-zipper access to all my gear. It can lie flat in my roller bag if I don’t need to check both.


Lowepro Whistler Camera Bag


My amazing carry-on camera & laptop backpack. I use this for day hikes with my camera gear, but it has room for things like snacks, water, jacket, full-size tripod, snowboard, ice-axe, etc.

READ MORE: How To Choose The Perfect Travel Backpack


Basic Travel Gear

This is my basic, standard travel gear that goes with me on every trip. From items that make flights more comfortable to gear that helps me stay organized while traveling.

READ MORE: Best Gifts For Travelers In 2019


Backpacking & Camping Gear

As an adventure addict, I do a lot of overnight backpacking, trekking, and camping when I travel. So I pack some specialized outdoor gear for these types of journeys, much of it pretty high-end (super lightweight & durable).

READ MORE: My Complete Backpacking Gear Checklist


Travel Clothing & Apparel

You don’t need a huge wardrobe to travel. Here’s some of the clothing I pack when traveling around the world. I try to buy stuff that’s lightweight and wrinkle resistant. As for how much? I generally pack: 2 pairs of pants, 1 pair of shorts, 5 t-shirts, 2 nicer shirts, 2 sweatshirts/sweaters, 5 pairs of underwear, 5 pairs of socks, and 1 swimsuit.

READ MORE: How I Do Laundry While Traveling


Tech Gadgets For Travelers

I would not be able to produce a travel blog of this caliber without some computer equipment. Other electronics are not absolutely needed, but they improve my quality of life on the road enough to be worth the weight.


My Travel Photography Gear

For the photographers out there, this is the camera equipment I use for adventure travel photography around the world. While I shoot images for this blog, I also sell images to magazines, brands, and national tourism boards. I carry more camera equipment than the average traveler because it’s part of my business.


Sony A7R III


Sony A6500


Mavic 2 Pro


GoPro 7


16-35mm 2.8


24-70mm 2.8


Travel Tripod


Microphone


Camera Clip


Camera Strap


Intervalometer


Camera Backpack

READ MORE: Best Travel Cameras For Different Budgets


Why Not Travel Carry-On Only?

Both my wife & I have traveled carry-on only before, and still do occasionally for short trips. However as I’ve collected more camera gear for the travel photography side of my business, I was forced to check a bag again in order to fill my carry-on with camera gear.

And you know what? After 9 years of regular travel, the airlines have only lost my checked-bag 4 times. In all but one of those cases my bag showed up the next day — it was not a big problem. Losing a bag for a day is not the crisis some travelers pretend it is.

Only once did it take a week to get my bag back. While this particular situation certainly sucked, having this happen once in 9 years, with all the flying I do, does not make it a frequent occurrence.

Checking a bag is not the end of the world… and odds are very high it will be waiting for you at luggage claim.

This is a post from The Expert Vagabond adventure blog.

Baby Travel Tips
Tips For Traveling with a Baby
Family Travel Tips

As a first-time dad, and frequent traveler, I’ve had to learn how to travel with a baby through trial and error. Here are some of our best baby travel tips based on my experience!

Sooooo… I’m a dad! If you’ve been following me on social media for the past 7 months, you probably already knew that though.

But I haven’t properly introduced the little guy here on my blog, and thought it was time for you to meet him — especially since we’ve been traveling together.

Earlier this year, back in April, my wife Anna gave birth to our first child. A healthy baby boy we named Dylan Fitzgerald Karsten.

Just as most parents warned, having a baby is a life-changing experience.

I’ve since learned everyone has their own advice about traveling with a baby or opinions about whether to travel with a baby or not.

So I wanted to include my baby travel tips into the mix too!

My Introduction To Fatherhood

Our New Family
The Day Baby Dylan was Born!

On the day of his delivery, buzzing on a mixture of stress & adrenaline, a hospital nurse held baby Dylan up so I could see him for the first time.

Fresh from his mother’s womb — the first thing he did was pee on me. I began laughing & crying simultaneously due to pure joy. Welcome to fatherhood!

What’s it like being a first-time dad? If I had to sum it up, I guess a combination of love, excitement, anxiety, and exhaustion. With the former outweighing the latter.

Becoming a dad is a life-altering experience. Of course I suspected as much after hearing from other dads, but living it yourself is always a bit different.

Up until this point in my life, I lived with as few responsibilities as possible.

For years I wandered around the world, living out of a backpack as a traveling digital nomad. Hopping from country to country with no home, no steady employer, and no real stability to speak of.

An admittedly pretty selfish existence chasing adventure, fun, life experiences, and personal development. It was great!

So for me, settling down and building a family was a big change. I won’t say it’s been easy either. There have been some speed-bumps along the way.

For example, adjusting sleep & work routines, additional planning (travel & life), stressful situations, unexpected surprises, constant baby chores, etc.

But it was a change I was ready for. As this new, more mature chapter of my life continues to evolve — I’m enjoying it more and more.

Traveling With A Baby

baby carrier for travel
Walking around Slovenia with Dylan in a Carrier

Dylan was born at a private hospital in Poland via C-section, and after a few weeks, he traveled on his very first flight back to Verona Italy with us where we’ve been living as expats.

Already we were getting scolded by others for putting him on a plane. Which is ridiculous, because it was approved by a doctor. With kids, everyone has an opinion for how to raise them!

Fast forward 7-months later, and he’s already got two passports, is working on his 3rd, has boarded 27 flights and traveled to 6 countries so far.

Dylan has traveled more as a baby than I did when I was in my 20’s!

Traveling with a Baby and Cat
Family Hiking in the Italian Dolomites
Vacation with Your Baby
Dylan’s First Tropical Vacation to Mauritius

Why Travel With A Baby?

Many people prefer not to travel with babies because they think it will be extra difficult, super expensive, or their children won’t remember the trips.

Sure, I don’t think Dylan will remember traveling as a baby — but I have a feeling our travel experiences together are affecting him in other ways.

Exposure To The World

Dylan has an uncanny ability to fall asleep anywhere at anytime. Even with loud music & celebrations going on! Or, how he seems to love people, and is not afraid of strangers.

Travel exposes him to all kinds of people, places, sounds, smells, and weather. He’s not growing up in a bubble that’s for sure!

Stronger Immune System

In 7-months of life, Dylan has only had a single fever, which as new parents we definitely over-reacted to — freaking out and rushing to the hospital. LOL!

Altogether a pretty solid health record considering the travel he’s done. Personally, I think his immune system is more robust from all the trains, planes, and automobiles he’s exposed to.

Quality Time Together

We also get to spend a lot of quality time together traveling with Dylan. Sitting at home can be distracting with all the work, chores, and multi-tasking.

When we travel together, we can better focus on sharing our curious & exciting world with him. He really seems to enjoy traveling a lot, and is better behaved with so much stimulus going on.

And if you’re prepared, traveling with a baby doesn’t have to be very difficult.

Tips For Flying With A Baby

Baby Flying Tips
Flying with Dylan from Dubai to Milan

1. When Can You Fly With A Baby?

We got so much random advice about when to fly with a newborn baby. Much of it said wait until 2 months, after the first vaccinations, and when the immune system is more developed.

But the fact is most airlines allow babies to fly at only 2 weeks old. We flew with Dylan at 2 weeks and he slept the whole flight. No ear problems, no crying, nothing.

2. Babies Fly Free!

In the United States, children under 2 years old fly free in their parents lap. Yay! In Europe and internationally it’s not totally free, but close. You must pay 10% of your ticket price to travel with a child under 2.

Depending on the airline, babies also get their own free carry-on bag, gate-checked stroller, and maybe a car seat too.

After your kid turns two however, flying gets much more expensive and you’ll have to buy them their own seat with a full-price ticket.

3. TSA & Security Procedures

Much to the dismay of both airport security officials & travelers around the world, check-in procedures vary wildly depending on the particular airport/country.

Where one airport may not require you to remove your shoes or take out your laptop — at another one, they’ll yell at you for not doing it. It’s confusing as hell!

Expect the same when it comes to traveling with a baby.

Some airports are very family friendly, with dedicated family check-in lines and security screening. You can pass through security easily with your stroller and put hot water or baby formula through the x-ray.

Others are a huge pain in the ass, forcing you to fold up your stroller and squeeze it through the entire x-ray machine.

Travel Friendly Stroller
Strolling the Beach in Nice, France

4. Travel-Friendly Strollers

Many parents recommend traveling with a baby carrier for getting on and off airplanes, but we use our carry-on approved Babyzen YoYo+ Travel Stroller.

Using this stroller, there’s no need to gate-check it. You simply wheel your baby right onto the plane in many circumstances. It folds up super small and fits in the overhead compartment!

I have to admit, free priority boarding (boarding the airplane first) because of Dylan is a nice little perk if you fly a lot.

That is, unless you need to ride a shuttle bus to the airplane.

Then it doesn’t make any difference, and you get stuck behind everyone else climbing up the boarding ladder steps (carrying a baby, stroller, and bags).

5. Airplane Baby Bassinets

On long international flights, many airlines have sections that include a baby bassinet which hangs from the wall in front of your seats. This is super handy!

It allows you to let your baby sleep comfortably, and gives you a break from holding your baby for the entirety of an 8+ hour flight.

However, some airlines don’t offer bassinets, or only have a few available. Of the airlines who do offer them, like American & Delta, you can’t pre-book them and it’s first-come-first-serve when you show up at the gate.

The most baby-friendly airline we’ve flown with so far has been Emirates — not only do you automatically get assigned seats with a bassinet, they also give you a cute baby care package with a blanket, toys, wet-wipes, and more.

6. Timing Is Everything

Since we’ve become parents, we’ve had to plan out our flying experiences a bit more. You don’t want your baby screaming with a wet diaper or hungry for milk while waiting in lines or during takeoff or landing.

We try to change & feed Dylan at the airport’s baby-friendly bathroom right before boarding the flight, as well right before they turn on the seat belt signs inside the airplane to prepare for landing.

This way, he’s not freaking out when there’s little we can do for him. Of course there’s no guarantee it won’t happen regardless, but it minimizes the chances.

Also, unless we’re in a rush to catch a connecting flight, we’ll often de-board the plane last to avoid fighting with pushy passengers attempting to remove luggage from the overhead bins. It’s just not worth the stress.

7. Feeding During Takeoff & Landing

To prevent your baby from experiencing ear pain due to changing cabin pressure during airplane takeoffs and landings, try to feed them a little formula or at least play tug-of-war with the pacifier.

This will encourage your baby to “swallow” which relieves the ear pressure difference and any related pain.

8. Request An Empty Seat

If your route isn’t too full, there still may be empty seats on the plane. You can try to ask the gate attendant to move you to an empty row, so you won’t bother other passengers (and you’ll get some extra room yourself).

I’ve found that some passengers hate flying with babies on board, while others love it and make funny faces at Dylan from across the plane!

USEFUL TIP: Get your baby changing gear ready for when the “ding” sound indicates it’s safe to move about the cabin after takeoff, and run for the nearest airplane bathroom to avoid waiting in line!

General Baby Travel Tips

Traveling by Train
Traveling by Train is Always Fun

1. Pack Light

You don’t need to pack a week’s worth of diapers when traveling with a baby. Bring enough supplies to last a day or two, buy the rest while you’re there.

Our Baby Packing List

  • Baby Carrier – For hands-free travel with a baby, and especially good for destinations with lots of stairs.
  • Folding Travel Stroller – We try to use a stroller as much as possible, and you can store extra stuff under it.
  • Car Seat – This isn’t always needed. You can often rent car seats with your car rental company.
  • Diaper Bag – I recommend one that includes a changing pad, because many changing tables aren’t padded (or cleaned often)
  • Diapers – Bring more than you think you need, but don’t go overboard either. You can always buy more at your destination.
  • Wet Wipes – Make sure to bring a new package so you don’t run out! Plus a backup travel-size package in the stroller.
  • Extra Bottles & Formula – We pre-fill baby bottles with the right amount of powder. Simply add hot water, cold water, and shake.
  • Hot Water Thermos – Keeps water hot for hours, making it easy to prepare bottles for feeding.
Changing Baby in Sink
No Changing Table? Improvise with a Sink!

2. Be Flexible

If you think travel is unpredictable, just try traveling with a baby. It certainly increases the chances of things going wrong during your trip.

For example, you’ll probably want to arrive at the airport earlier than normal, so you have time to change and feed them before the flight. Plus extra time for passing through security.

Be ready to change plans at a moment’s notice, and have a backup option if your baby isn’t cooperating. Like leaving a restaurant early when your baby starts screaming hysterically.

Don’t force the baby on grueling 6-hour city walking tours. Maybe schedule fewer activities each day than you normally would alone. You’ve got someone else to think of now!

3. Book Baby Friendly Hotels

There are a few things that make staying in a hotel with a baby much easier. We look for hotels and Airbnb’s that provide cribs, plus a hot-water machine or stove to prepare formula for feeding. Laundry machines are a bonus too!

That said, don’t always trust the popular hotel booking sites while you’re searching.

We’ve come across a few instances where the booking search engine said babies weren’t allowed, but if you call the hotel, they’ll say differently. When in doubt, call the hotel to double-check before booking.

4. Accept Other People’s Help

When you’re traveling with a baby, strangers will often offer to help out. Carrying a stroller up some stairs, taking your bags off a train, etc.

In the beginning, our first reaction was to decline any help. But now we gladly accept it when offered. People will offer up their spot in an elevator, give up their seat on a subway, and more.

Use your best judgement of course, but don’t be afraid to accept some help from kind strangers and make traveling with a baby a little less stressful.

5. Hire A Local Babysitter

When we traveled to Mauritius when Dylan was only 8 weeks old, our accommodation offered babysitting services. Sometimes it’s worth the extra expense of staying in a resort for this option!

You could also ask a friend who lives in the country you’re visiting to do a little research for you, or maybe talk to the hotel or your Airbnb host to get ideas.

6. Your Baby Needs A Passport

If you’re traveling internationally with your baby, they’re going to need a passport. Both parents need to be available for the process. You’ll need to bring proof of citizenship, identification, and relation to the child.

Generally getting your baby a US passport will take 4-6 weeks, but there are expedited services that take 8 days.

We got lucky & organized Dylan’s Polish passport in only 2 days. His US passport from the US Embassy in Warsaw was ready in only 5 days!

Passports for newborn babies are good for 5 years before they’ll need a new one.

7. Pack Spare Clothes

There is nothing worse than the dreaded “baby blowout”. They may not happen often, but when they do, they’ll destroy your baby’s clothes, as well as yours.

Pack a spare set of clothes for your baby, as well as a spare shirt for yourself too. Just in case! To help prevent blowouts, try sticking a woman’s menstrual pad to the back of your baby’s diaper…

8. Don’t Panic Over Schedules

Some parents put their babies on strict feeding and napping schedules. We don’t. Dylan sleeps when he’s sleepy, and eats when he’s hungry.

Trying to stick to a special napping and feeding schedule while traveling with your baby isn’t going to be very practical. Save yourself some stress and let them do their own thing.

Traveling Without Your Baby…

Solo Travel without Baby
What About Traveling Without Him?

Just because I have a family now doesn’t mean I’m going to abandon independent travel. Both Anna & I have embarked on solo trips since Dylan was born, and will continue to do so.

In fact, after months learning the ropes of parenthood, we’ve decided to take a break together and travel to Antarctica — without Dylan.

A 3-week vacation while my parents watch over him (thanks guys!).

As any parent will tell you, having a baby is hard work. Even with babysitters or family members helping out. Sometimes you just need a break!

While becoming a parent has it’s challenges, it doesn’t mean you have to completely give up your previous lifestyle. And independent travel has been a big part of our lives — both for work and for fun.

We frequently travel as a family, but sometimes I’ll take a solo trip for a week or two while Anna watches Dylan, or she’ll visit a new country while I stay home.

Having a baby doesn’t have to interfere with the pursuit of your travel dreams — as a family or on your own!

Travel Planning Resources

Packing Guide

Check out my travel gear guide to help you start packing for your trip.

Book Your Flight

Ready to fly? Here’s how I find the cheapest airline flights.

Rent A Car

Discover Cars is a great site for comparing car prices to find a deal.

Cheap Accommodation

Learn how I save money booking hotels & vacation apartments.

Protect Your Trip

Don’t forget travel insurance! Protect yourself from possible injury & theft abroad. Read why you should always carry travel insurance.

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How To Travel With A Baby: As a first-time dad, and frequent traveler, I've had to learn how to travel with a baby through trial and error. Here are some of our best baby travel tips based on my experience! #Family #Travel #tips
How To Travel With A Baby: As a first-time dad, and frequent traveler, I've had to learn how to travel with a baby through trial and error. Here are some of our best baby travel tips based on my experience! #Family #Travel #tips

READ MORE TRAVEL TIPS

I hope you enjoyed my tips for traveling with a baby! Hopefully you found it useful. Here are a few more wanderlust-inducing articles that I recommend you read next:

Have any questions about traveling with a baby? Any other suggestions? Let me know in the comments below!

This is a post from The Expert Vagabond adventure blog.

Hey there!

In case you did a doubletake when you landed here today, don’t worry, you’re still in the right place. I just got a new blog design up and running yesterday and you’re the first to see it! I’m so excited about the changes and I think you all will love it too. It should be simple and easy to navigate with drop downs and nothing drastic on getting around will change, but a fresh new look and feel to the blog.

The post A Blog Design Refresh! appeared first on Southern Hospitality.

A couple of weeks ago, I met up with some of my long time blog friends for a conference with our ad network, AdThrive, in Austin, TX. It was a very good conference and I think we all came away with more things to do on our blogs. It’s always something, that’s for sure! Running a blog is not an easy thing and there’s always more to learn. 

We stayed in an Air BNB in Austin and the conference was two days. One of the highlights of the conference was getting to hear and meet Ben and Erin from the HGTV show, Hometown. I’m a big fan of their show and was delighted to hear that they would be at the conference speaking. 

The post A Vist to Austin and Waco, TX appeared first on Southern Hospitality.

Hi, there! It’s another Fashion over 50 day and I’ve got a couple of new things to share with you from Old Navy. I do like Old Navy for casual clothes and I always find something I like in their new Fall clothing. These pieces are great for layering and a good weight for Fall into Winter. 

The post Fashion over 50: Casual Fall Outfits appeared first on Southern Hospitality.

For This Once In A Lifetime Event
You Need The Best View & Location Possible

That’s why you need to come to

Arrowmont Stables & Cabins

The breathtaking views that serve the trails so well will serve your view of the Solar Eclipse even more.
Hike the horse trail to the top or You may Enjoy the view of the Eclipse from the Stables

RESERVE YOUR ECLIPSE VIEWING SPOT BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE.
You can either stay at the Stables to view the eclipse or hike to the
top of the mountain for that majestic 30 mile view

CLICK HERE TO RESERVE YOUR VIEW SPOT

Plus, Get your tasty Picnic lunch At Arrowmont’s Fort
before you settle in to watch the Eclipse

CLICK HERE TO ORDER YOUR LUNCH NOW

DON’T FORGET THE BEAUTIFUL ECLIPSE HORSE RIDES AT
10 am, 1 pm and 3:30 pm August 21st

CLICK HERE TO RESERVE YOUR ECLIPSE TRAIL RIDE!!

RESERVE YOUR LUNCH BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE. CLICK BELOW NOW

Judaculla Rock

This large soapstone boulder is located in Jackson County, NC. Interesting petroglyphs cover most of its surface. To this day the carvings have not been deciphered.

Some believe the Cherokee Indians camped near the rock when they quarried soapstone. Soapstone was used to make pipes, bowls, beads and other useful artifacts.

In fact, the Cherokee held ceremonies there up through the 19th century.

Some believe the rock is some sort of map of the area. Others think it is a battlefield depiction of the Great War between the Cherokee and Creek Indian Nations in 1755. Or possibly it’s Peace Treaty. But they are probably thousands of years old not hundreds.

Archeologists who study soapstone carvings believe the Judaculla Rock carvings were done some time between 3000 and 1000 BC.

It is interesting that no Cherokee Indian has ever been able to tell what the petroglyphs mean or report when they were carved on the rock face.

It is possible to read many different things into the figures on the stone. Who knows, you may be the one to discover its hidden meaning.

In the late 1800’s a historian who collected Indian stories recorded one about a mythical creature named Judaculla (meaning “Great Slant-eyed Giant”).

This mythical creature lived on top of the mountain that feeds the Tuckaseegee River. He was an incredibly powerful Giant Hunter who also controlled nature’s forces, wind, rain, thunder, etc. Judaculla’s feet are supposed to have made the rock’s carvings when he jumped from the top of the mountain to the creek below. An incredible act in itself since this would be a leap of several thousand feet. The carving on the lower left side of the rock is supposed to be a picture of his foot with 7 toes.

Whatever the source or reason, it is generally accepted the carvings are not ancient graffiti. It seems to be an important message but, unfortunately, we no longer know what it is.

Today there is a small park around the sight and it is totally free to visit Judaculla Rock. The park is open year round.

An interesting vocabulary side bar:
Petroglyph: a design chiseled or chipped out of a rock surface.
Pictograph: a design painted on a rock surface.
Rock art: a general term for the pecking, incising, or painting of designs onto rock surfaces.
Rock art panel: a group of rock art figures.
Soapstone: a type of stone which is soft and easily carved; also called steatite.
Symbol: a thing or design that represents something else.

This drawing is courtesy of the University of North Carolina Rock Art Lessons

To visit Judaculla Rock:

Coming from the North and the Great Smoky Mt Expressway Hwy 74/23 take Sylva exit # 85, Go to the second light and Turn LEFT on to Hwy 107 going south, drive approximately 8 miles to the BP Station at Hwy 107 & Caney Fork Road.
On the way, you will go through the little community of Sylva. Then through Cullowhee and Western Carolina University (WCU). Just a few miles past WCU you will see the Judaculla Rock road sign shown above. It is at the intersection of Hwy 107 and Caney Fork Road. Turn east on to Caney Fork Rd and go about 2.5 miles to a gravel road on your left.
Follow the gravel road about ½ mile to Judaculla Rock on your right.

Horseback Riding Tips

Horse Riders at Arrowmont Stables

This is just a quick run down of things to be aware of when riding horses.

What to Wear and/or Bring For Your Trail Ride…
– Shoes: Please wear closed toed shoes with as smooth a sole as possible
– No flip-flops, hiking boots or bare feet. Obviously, riding boots are best but tennis shoes with a smooth sole could work. Smooth sole shoes with a heel are best. But at the least, closed-toe shoes are required.
– Please do Not wear hiking boots. Their sole is very rough and may get your foot stuck in the stirrup.
– Pants: Long pants are best. Then shorts that come down to your knees. This is so your legs won’t rub on the saddle and get sore.
– Rain: Trails may go rain or shine. Be prepared with ponchos and raincoats. Bring an extra T-Shirt and towel if it looks like rain.
– A First Aid kit that should include not only supplies for human injuries but also for horses (hoof pick, at least) and tack repairs (take a variety of sizes of zip lock ties for emergency tack repairs).
– Walkie-Talkie radioes as a safety precaution. Make sure they’re charged and can communicate with each other (same channel, long enough range of signal, etc) before leaving on your designated trail. Cell phones may suffice if you are sure you have signal on your trail and you have a zippered pocket to keep it in.
– Be sure to leave one of the radioes with someone at the barn as well as information regarding the trail or route you are taking.
– Never ride alone, always go with a buddy
– Always wear a properly fitted horse riding helmet

Things that may get lost on the trail…
– Sunglasses that aren’t being worn
– Cameras that aren’t on a tether around your neck
– Cell phones not in a zippered pocket
– Wallets not in a zippered pocket
– Keys not in a zippered pocket

Please leave these things in your car or at the Stables. Rarely can you find them afterward.

RECOMMENDED AGE TO RIDE ON The TRAIL
Six year old children generally have a successful experience riding on the trails, especially when their horse is on a lead line tethered behind an experienced rider (like a dog on a leash). Sometimes there’s a precocious five year old who may be able ride.

What to look for in a young child to enable the child to join you on the trail on his own horse…
– Does the child have good balance on the horse?
– Does he understand he needs to remain on the horse for the entire trail?
– Does he still take naps? He may fall asleep due to the rocking motion of the horse.
– Is he afraid of horses?

Lot’s of people think if the child is small it’s okay to “ride double”. They mean they want the child to ride with them on the same horse. The American Medical Association goes against this practice.

The reason why is, if something should happen and your horse “acts up” or is startled on the trail, you may fall off. Then the adult falling on the small child injures the child far more than if the child simply fell off his/her own horse. For safety, it’s best everyone should have their own mount.

What size horse do you need to have for your ride? Horses can safely carry 20% of their body weight. For example, if you weigh 200 lbs, you need a 1000 pound horse.

A FEW IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT HORSES…
1. Horses don’t know they are big. That’s why we can control them with the bit in their mouth.
2. Horses think like little children and expect you to protect & comfort them.
3. You NEED to know this. Whoever is most stubborn wins! You have to be more stubborn than the horse to be a successful rider.

Hope these tips have been helpful to you.
Nancy Sellers with Arrowmont Stables
Cullowhee, NC

Horse Riders at Arrowmont Stables
Horse Riders at Arrowmont Stables