With a name like Carltonaut, it’s a given that when I’m traveling through Idaho, I need to explore Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve. The area did not disappoint, with lots of hiking trails that work for just about any age group. The popular trails are through the lava tube caves, but during…
Moab is known for outdoor adventures. People visit the area from around the world to explore the nearby national and state parks. There are endless hiking and biking trails, but one of the best adventures in Moab is river rafting on the Colorado River. Moab Adventure Center offers guided tours on the river, and we…
The Field Museum is one of the most popular natural history museums in the world. The massive building provides hours of educational opportunities for people of all ages. Explore the world of dinosaurs, life underground, ancient Egypt and even death. With so many exhibits at the Field Museum, it’s going to be too long of…
One of the best parts of travel is finding a new area to explore on foot. While at a business conference in La Jolla, I learned of the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, just a short drive north. I decided to spend my final afternoon exploring the best hikes at Torrey Pines before catching my…
Historic jails are often made “famous” based on who resided in their walls. Without those high-profile prisoners, they’re just a building with bars to hold criminals. Historic Liberty Jail – roughly 20 miles northeast of Kansas City, Missouri – is one such jail. But who was the prisoner who brought this attention and historic preservation…
In the early morning hours of June 9, 1944, three days after the successful Allied invasion along the beaches of Normandy, 2nd Lt. Leo Carlton was awakened from his cot and informed he would be the substitute co-pilot for a B-24 bombing run over Munich. Little did Leo know this would be the start of…
Wandering through a cemetery in New Orleans is a popular activity. There’s something unique about walking between above-ground tombs. Most cemeteries I’ve been to bury the dead six feet underground. Touring the cemeteries during the day is one thing, but a nighttime cemetery tour in New Orleans is much more interesting – and creepy. During…
Southern California is an amazing place to book a family vacation. There are the major theme parks – like SeaWorld San Diego, LEGOLAND, Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm and Universal Studios. There are museums for people of all interests. But more importantly, there are miles and miles of coastline waiting to be explored. That’s why I…
Washington DC holds so much history of the United States. There are countless museums showcasing art, spacecraft, transportation and American history. But there’s one museum in Washington DC that holds something you definitely want to see while in the nation’s capital – original copies of the Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights. The…
One of the most sought after and iconic photos of Zion National Park – beyond The Subway – is of Zion’s canyon from the top of Angels Landing. But that hike is not for the faint of heart. Plus, there are some other nuances you need to be aware of – mainly, how to get…
