It all started as sort of a joke. I mentioned to a group of travel writers that I was going to Kansas for 12 days. Someone quipped, “Oh, the 12 Days of Kansas. I wonder what you’ll get?” Then someone else joined in singing a parody of “The 12 Days of Christmas.” Before I knew… [Read More]
Abilene, Kansas: Wild West to White House
Abilene, Kansas, offers history buffs a timeline of experiences that begins in 1857 when Timothy and Elizabeth Hersey first settled on the banks of Mud Creek. Elizabeth named Abilene after references to Galilea, a region in the bible verse Luke 3:1. In 1867, Abilene became the western end of the Kansas Pacific Railroad, where it… [Read More]
A Gourmand’s Guide to Gulf Shores: A to Z
When it comes to the Alabama Gulf Coast food scene, fresh gulf coast seafood—shrimp, oyster, and crab, intersect with southern specialties like grits and pimento cheese. Combine that with farm-to-table sustainable ingredients and you’ll find a food scene you won’t soon forget. Add to the food, the atmosphere with stunning sunset views over the waterfront,… [Read More]
Burgdorf’s Winery: Award-Winning Wine from a Garage
What do Deborah and Dave Burgdorf have in common with Google’s Larry Page and Sergey Brin? They’ve all launched successful businesses from their garage. In the wine industry, the Garagiste refers to a European concept of making wine out of a garage. Garagistes produce limited production wines called “Vin de Garage” or “Garage Wines.” The… [Read More]
Medora, North Dakota: A Weekend Getaway
Medora, North Dakota, is an off the beaten path, seasonal town. Often North Dakota remains the last state visited by those earning the “Visited All 50 States” badge, as North Dakota is the least-visited state in the union. But a second look reveals Medora, North Dakota, as a hidden treasure for history buffs, outdoor lovers,… [Read More]
Lansing, Michigan: 5 Must-Have Foodie Experiences
While the Greater Lansing area is known for the three Cs, the Capitol, the Campus (Michigan State University), and cars, I add a fourth, cuisine. Lansing features a lot of great local foodie experiences, from scratch-made Mediterranean cuisine to romantic inns. So, whether your objective is to cross off another capital from your bucket list,… [Read More]
Midwest Road Trip Adventures: Plan One Today
From the Great Lakes to the Great Plains, a new anthology helps travelers re-discover their home state — even during a pandemic. A new travel anthology titled “Midwest Road Trip Adventures,” retails for $19.95. You can find it in bookstores across the Midwest. The authors who penned the anthology live and work in the states… [Read More]
Lansing Michigan: 12 Fun Facts
Most people know Lansing is Michigan’s capital city and has an automotive heritage. But here are some fun details about Lansing that are sure to make you want to visit. In the meantime, these fun facts will come in handy at your next cocktail party, Trivial Pursuit game or Jeopardy challenge. If you live in… [Read More]
Olivia’s Chophouse in Jonesville, Michigan
This summer, we explored some of Michigan’s highways and byways. We ended up on US 12 Heritage Route, an east-west corridor, from Detroit to New Buffalo, which leads history buffs and automotive enthusiasts on an adventure through time. About mid-way, near Jonesville, the family and I decided it was time for lunch. That’s when we… [Read More]
How to Cook a Restaurant-Style Steak at Home
To help offset the costs of running FollowThePiper.com, you’ll find affiliate links throughout the site. If you choose to purchase through one of these links, there’s no additional cost to you, but I’ll earn a small commission. You can read the entire legal disclosure on the full disclosure page. Thank you to Visit Omaha who provided the author with… [Read More]