Sumo Warriors: My Japanese Wrestling Education

Another fun post from our daughter, Charli, AKA The Piglet!

There’s a misconception that sumo wresting is just a couple fat dudes bashing into each other, but there’s actually a lot ritual, a lot of skill, and a lot of training that goes into those fat guys bashing into each other.

Sumo tournaments are held three times a year in Tokyo and I was lucky enough… CONTINUE READING >>

Another fun post from our daughter, Charli, AKA The Piglet!

There’s a misconception that sumo wresting is just a couple fat dudes bashing into each other, but there’s actually a lot ritual, a lot of skill, and a lot of training that goes into those fat guys bashing into each other.

Sumo tournaments are held three times a year in Tokyo and I was lucky enough… CONTINUE READING >>

A Glorious Stop in Alghero, Sardinia

It is always a striking experience to venture inside the walls of an historic Italian city but even more so in Alghero.

The mix of cultures over the centuries has left a truly unique place. We could hardly wait to explore… CONTINUE READING >>

It is always a striking experience to venture inside the walls of an historic Italian city but even more so in Alghero.

The mix of cultures over the centuries has left a truly unique place. We could hardly wait to explore… CONTINUE READING >>

Look Mom, I’m in North Korea!

Excited to introduce everyone to our daughter, Charli, AKA The Piglet!

For most parents, “Look Mom, I’m in North Korea!” is probably not a dream email to receive.

However, I obviously inherited a love of questionable activities in foreign countries from my parents, The GypsyNesters.

So when they received my weekly travel newsletter detailing my trip to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), not only… CONTINUE READING >>

Excited to introduce everyone to our daughter, Charli, AKA The Piglet!

For most parents, “Look Mom, I’m in North Korea!” is probably not a dream email to receive.

However, I obviously inherited a love of questionable activities in foreign countries from my parents, The GypsyNesters.

So when they received my weekly travel newsletter detailing my trip to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), not only… CONTINUE READING >>

U.P. and Over Big Mac – Loving Michigan’s Upper Peninsula!

Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is the red-headed stepchild of the Great Lakes region.

Like kids left alone who’ve formed a tree house club, the people of the Upper Peninsula have developed a domain unto themselves, even a secret language all their own.

A conversation about a moose walking through town would sound something like this:

“Just seen a snow cow at da stop-and-go light.”
“Yah, Hey… CONTINUE READING >>

Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is the red-headed stepchild of the Great Lakes region.

Like kids left alone who’ve formed a tree house club, the people of the Upper Peninsula have developed a domain unto themselves, even a secret language all their own.

A conversation about a moose walking through town would sound something like this:

“Just seen a snow cow at da stop-and-go light.”
“Yah, Hey… CONTINUE READING >>

Perfectly Provincial in Bormes-les-Mimosas, France

Bonjour! It looks like they “filmed” Beauty and the Beast here!

A day of provincial life as it has been for centuries, completely unpretentious. A place where the scent of flowers, coffee, and bread filled the air.
Then a surprise.

We came upon a pretty little lane on a really steep hill named Rue Rompi Cuou and discovered that it means… how should we put this?… bust your… no… let’s say Break Your… CONTINUE READING >>

Bonjour! It looks like they “filmed” Beauty and the Beast here!

A day of provincial life as it has been for centuries, completely unpretentious. A place where the scent of flowers, coffee, and bread filled the air.
Then a surprise.

We came upon a pretty little lane on a really steep hill named Rue Rompi Cuou and discovered that it means… how should we put this?… bust your… no… let’s say Break Your… CONTINUE READING >>

Yin and Yang: Ancient Meets Modern in Shanghai


How does a city with a jaw-dropping skyline and  the fastest train in the world also embrace its roots?

Join us as we discover Shanghai — the old and the new — through her art, religion, architecture and food (soup dumplings!)… CONTINUE READING >>


How does a city with a jaw-dropping skyline and  the fastest train in the world also embrace its roots?

Join us as we discover Shanghai — the old and the new — through her art, religion, architecture and food (soup dumplings!)… CONTINUE READING >>