We Loved This Place – and That’s No Istanbul!

Join us in a tale of Sultans and Emperors, of grandeur, conquest and really big ideas.

Istanbul surprised us at every turn – the colors, the vibrancy, the sheer newness of it all. We sat on pillows, had a REAL feast, learned to haggle at the Grand Bazaar and finally found out what Turkish Delight is!

Follow along on our adventure of slack-jawed awe… CONTINUE READING >>

Join us in a tale of Sultans and Emperors, of grandeur, conquest and really big ideas.

Istanbul surprised us at every turn – the colors, the vibrancy, the sheer newness of it all. We sat on pillows, had a REAL feast, learned to haggle at the Grand Bazaar and finally found out what Turkish Delight is!

Follow along on our adventure of slack-jawed awe… CONTINUE READING >>

Fjords, Carnivorous Plants and Standing on the Earth’s Mantle in Newfoundland


Join your GypsyNesters as we trod upon the Earth’s mantle (bucket list item alert!), discover the breathtaking beauty of a fjord by water, dodge carnivorous plants, devour a traditional Jiggs Dinner, and frolic with massive amounts of butterflies!

Oh, and learn what a pudding sock… CONTINUE READING >> 



Join your GypsyNesters as we trod upon the Earth’s mantle (bucket list item alert!), discover the breathtaking beauty of a fjord by water, dodge carnivorous plants, devour a traditional Jiggs Dinner, and frolic with massive amounts of butterflies!

Oh, and learn what a pudding sock… CONTINUE READING >> 


Green Gables: Bringing My Childhood Imagination to Life

Laura of Little House on the Prairie and Anne of Anne of Green Gables were my closest literary companions in childhood.

There was something about these girls’ feistiness and spirit that sparked “the scope of my imagination” – a bookwormish preteen girl who spent hour upon hour with her nose stuck in the pages of… CONTINUE READING >> 

Laura of Little House on the Prairie and Anne of Anne of Green Gables were my closest literary companions in childhood.

There was something about these girls’ feistiness and spirit that sparked “the scope of my imagination” – a bookwormish preteen girl who spent hour upon hour with her nose stuck in the pages of… CONTINUE READING >> 

Live-blogging Atlantic Canada – Having a Merry Time in the Maritimes!

The Maritimes is a region rich in history — involving sailors and fishermen, pirates and generals, battles and treaties, shipwrecks and rum running, and the birth pangs of two great nations.

Our journey sets out where Canada began, on the stunning red cliffs of Prince Edward Island… CONTINUE READING >> 

The Maritimes is a region rich in history — involving sailors and fishermen, pirates and generals, battles and treaties, shipwrecks and rum running, and the birth pangs of two great nations.

Our journey sets out where Canada began, on the stunning red cliffs of Prince Edward Island… CONTINUE READING >> 

The Butterworth Center and Deere-Wiman House in Moline, Illinois

This was the home of John Deere’s son Charles, who followed his father as head of the company.

Each room was more amazing than the next, but it was the library that made our jaws hit the floor… CONTINUE READING >> 

This was the home of John Deere’s son Charles, who followed his father as head of the company.

Each room was more amazing than the next, but it was the library that made our jaws hit the floor… CONTINUE READING >> 

Cowboyin’ Up in Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires is a city fueled by meat, and Mataderos is the barrio, or neighborhood, that traditionally supplied that fuel.

To celebrate that tradition and preserve many of the customs of the gauchos, who we would call cowboys, a huge event known as the Feria de Mataderos is held.

Thousands of people come from miles around to enjoy the food, music, crafts, and particularly the feats of skill demonstrated by the gauchos… CONTINUE READING >> 

Buenos Aires is a city fueled by meat, and Mataderos is the barrio, or neighborhood, that traditionally supplied that fuel.

To celebrate that tradition and preserve many of the customs of the gauchos, who we would call cowboys, a huge event known as the Feria de Mataderos is held.

Thousands of people come from miles around to enjoy the food, music, crafts, and particularly the feats of skill demonstrated by the gauchos… CONTINUE READING >> 

Dispatch 1, South America Live-Blog

Join us in Ecuador! Follow us as we visit Le Panecillo, where the Incas worshiped the sun, with amazing views of the city of Quito from 9,843 feet.

Take a trip to the Equator (we’re feeling very centered), visit a church coated in gold, explore marketplaces.

And, of course, we’ll delve into the food and culture of Ecuador – GypsyNester style – on our way to The Galápagos… CONTINUE READING >>

Join us in Ecuador! Follow us as we visit Le Panecillo, where the Incas worshiped the sun, with amazing views of the city of Quito from 9,843 feet.

Take a trip to the Equator (we’re feeling very centered), visit a church coated in gold, explore marketplaces.

And, of course, we’ll delve into the food and culture of Ecuador – GypsyNester style – on our way to The Galápagos… CONTINUE READING >>

Hey Mr. Spaceman!

For many of us the moon landing in July 1969 holds a prominent place in our memories. The scratchy black & white images are burned indelibly into our minds. We were children of The Space Age. We drank Tang, ate Space Food Sticks, watched The Jetsons and dreamed of Jeannie.

This made our visit to The John F. Kennedy Space Center on Florida’s Space Coast as much a trip down memory lane as an exploration of current… CONTINUE READING >>

For many of us the moon landing in July 1969 holds a prominent place in our memories. The scratchy black & white images are burned indelibly into our minds. We were children of The Space Age. We drank Tang, ate Space Food Sticks, watched The Jetsons and dreamed of Jeannie.

This made our visit to The John F. Kennedy Space Center on Florida’s Space Coast as much a trip down memory lane as an exploration of current… CONTINUE READING >>