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May

A Vagabond Travel Day With Sheep in Provence

by Sheron Long on May 30, 2013

Blocks spelling "Wing It," showing the value of vagabond travel

Wing it and find the surprise of the unknown.
© Sheron Long

Off the Beaten Path, Life Is Full of Surprises

It never fails. The day I decide to wing it and wander away from the travel itinerary is the day that etches the best memories in my mind.

Maybe it’s because I’m here in France where being a flâneur (stroller, wanderer, vagabond in a good sense) is valued, much like an art form. Maybe it’s because the unexpected surprises of life put a bigger smile on my face.

No matter, in many an “Oh, I see” moment, I’ve learned that making space for vagabond travel days is essential to a well-planned itinerary. Read more...

Sheron Long 1 Comment

Art of Travel/France

May

Seven Important Life Lessons in a Bee Garden

by Janine Boylan on May 27, 2013

A bumblebee whose behavior shows life lessons in a bee garden

A bumblebee approaches a phacelia.
© Janine Boylan

The other day I met some neighbors I didn’t know too well: bees. Walking through a bee garden planted especially for bees, I learned a lot about these little creatures. They had some Oh, I see important life lessons for me, too.

1. Diversity is the spice of life.

When you think of bees, it’s likely that you picture a honeybee. But the honeybee is only one of many, many different kinds of bees.

A green leafcutter bee, whose behavior shows life lessons in a bee garden

A green leaf-cutter bee
© Janine Boylan

There are about 4,000 species of bees in North America: round fuzzy striped bumblebees, small bright green sweat bees, thin yellow and black leaf-cutter bees, big black carpenter bees, and more. Read more...

Janine Boylan Comments

Life Lessons

May

Can Treasure Hunting Change Your Life?

by Meredith Mullins on May 23, 2013

treasure map reveals a plan for hunting for treasure and life-changing experiences

Forrest Fenn and The Thrill of the Chase

As I have gone alone in there
And with my treasures bold,
I can keep my secret where,
And hint of riches new and old.

—Forrest Fenn

And so begins a story of mystery, adventure, and hunting for hidden treasure—with life-changing experiences for the treasure giver and the treasure hunter.

From Bottle Caps to Gold and Jewels

Forrest Fenn
The Old Santa Fe Trading Co

Forrest Fenn is a collector extraordinaire—from bottle caps, string, and arrowheads as a child to art and artifacts for many decades after.

With this passion for exploration and discovery, he made a name for himself (and a fortune) as a charismatic and internationally-known art dealer in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Then, his life changed. He was diagnosed with cancer and a less-than-encouraging chance of survival. Read more...

Meredith Mullins 6 Comments

Adventure Travel/Discoveries/USA

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