United States – Joe's Bucket List

Joe’s Alaska Cruise Tips

Joe — Thu, 15 May 2025 23:49:56 +0000

Alaska is a massive place, and a cruise is easily the best way to see the scale of it without getting lost in the weeds. This guide covers the practical side of navigating the Last Frontier—from why you actually need a real camera (and a zoom lens) to the reality of those "expensive" excursions. I’ve also broken down my favorite spots in the major ports like Juneau and Skagway, plus a few tips on cruise etiquette and where to find the best wild salmon. If you're planning your first trip up the Inside Passage, here is what you actually need to know before you board.

Galveston Island

Joe — Sun, 13 Apr 2025 13:56:00 +0000

(Latest update: 4/15/2025) Did you know that Galveston Island has more to offer than just a cruise port and industrial docks? This hidden gem is one of Texas’s best-kept secrets, perfect for a quick beach getaway. For my fellow SWA non-rev friends from Dallas Love Field, it’s an easy and quick destination to hit the beach for a couple of days—even if all the flights are full.

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Casa Bonita

Joe — Sun, 08 Dec 2024 20:28:08 +0000

Back in 2003, my life was dominated by midterms, finals, and the questionable dining options at Purdue. But Wednesday nights? Those were sacred. That was South Park night. I had a friend in the dorms who had two things going for him: a TV and a steady supply of beer from a local fraternity. I’d bring my girlfriend and we’d all huddle in his room, crack open a cold one, and soak up whatever Trey…

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Kansas City

Joe — Sun, 01 Sep 2024 19:06:16 +0000

Last update: 9/1/2024 Kansas City isn’t the kind of place that most people would think of as a “tourist destination.” However, it’s a great city to visit! I’ll go through some of my favorite spots in this post, and why I like them. Here are my favorite places to go in Kansas City, and why I enjoy them. The National World War I Museum & Memorial 2 Memorial Dr…

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Top 10 American Civil War Museums

Joe — Sun, 01 Sep 2024 18:06:04 +0000

For history nerds like myself, stepping into a museum dedicated to the US Civil War is like opening a portal to the past. Whether you’re a seasoned Civil War buff or a curious traveler eager to learn more, these museums offer a powerful glimpse into the battles, strategies, and stories that forged the United States. In this post, I discuss the top 10 Civil War museums across the country—each one a…

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Trip Snippets: Key West, Florida

Joe — Sat, 10 Aug 2024 23:05:23 +0000

In this trip journal entry, I take my family on a quick weekend trip down the Florida Keys, focusing on Key West, but stopping at Islamorada. I was driving late at night through some forgettable place when fatigue hit, so I pulled into a truck stop for what Taco Bell might call “fourthmeal.” The café offered a questionable selection: sad, pre-made sandwiches…

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Top 10 American History Museums

Joe — Fri, 12 Jul 2024 01:22:46 +0000

I often find myself in a museum, captivated by artifacts that evoke a profound connection to pivotal historical events. These items stand out, unique and powerful, speaking to me in ways that words cannot. There’s something extraordinary about seeing an actual object that bore witness to history. As you stand before it, the artifact seems to beckon, silently hinting at the moment in time that…

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Power Rankings of Restaurants in Walt Disney World

Joe — Mon, 06 May 2024 20:48:10 +0000

Okay–let me first start off by saying that I haven’t eaten everywhere in Walt Disney World. I’ve eaten at about 62.4% of the restaurants in Disney World as of today. (I think there’s currently 85 of them.) The ones that I haven’t eaten at fall into one (or more) of these categories: That being said, I thought it would be interesting to do a “power ranking” of sit-down restaurants (i.e.

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Top 10 Tips for Walt Disney World Beginners for 2023

Joe — Sun, 12 Mar 2023 03:28:36 +0000

Often, I’m asked about my best tips for Walt Disney World. When I initially wrote the first version of this article back in early 2020, we were in for one heck of a series of changes. Therefore, I’ve decided to heavily re-vamp this article and re-release it. Usually, someone asks me about my tips for Walt Disney World about a month or two before they depart on their vacation.

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Now & Then – Walt Disney World Edition

Joe — Sat, 10 Dec 2022 02:26:58 +0000

Similar to the first post of this type: each of these 20 pictures were taken in the same location, though at least 20 years apart from one another. Additionally, each picture below was taken somewhere in Walt Disney World. I’ve tried to get as close to the original location where possible. (In some cases, buildings were built or foliage was installed that blocked the view entirely.

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