Cynthia Smoot in State Rock State Park, Oregon (May 2024) Ask most Dallasites what they know about Oregon, our Country’s ninth largest state, and the city of Portland, known for its microbreweries and coffeehouses will probably be the most common answer, with the Willamette Valley, a 150-mile-long valley in the Pacific Northwest region of Oregon famous for its Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris wines, coming in a close second. American Airlines recently debuted a new direct flight to Redmond, Oregon giving North Texans a new reason to discover the beauty of Central Oregon.   Located on the easter ..read more

  Vintage Car outside Sun Studio (credit: Alex Shansky)   Can’t Help Falling In Love… with Memphis By Cynthia Smoot  Memphis is a city on the Mississippi River in southwest Tennessee who claims to be the “Home of Blues, Soul and Rock ‘n Roll”. They back it up having birthed such music legends as Elvis Presley, B.B. King, Justin Timberlake, Al Green, Johnny Cash, Aretha Franklin and many more. In fact, close to 20 percent of the earliest inductees (24 of the 97) in the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame have come from within a 100-mile radius of Memphis. Maybe it’s something in the Miss ..read more

This story published in the Katy Trail Weekly newspaper on September 23, 2022. Click HERE to see the printed article. CELEBRATING 110 YEARS OF A STORIED PAST By Cynthia Smoot   The Adolphus Hotel in Downtown Dallas celebrates its 110 anniversary this year and the old girl is just as grand today as the day she was born. Anheuser-Busch co-founder, Adolphus Busch, built his namesake hotel as a passion project. The German immigrant had made his brewing fortune in St. Louis throughout the late 1800s but saw Dallas as the city of the future. In 1912, he debuted the city’s first true luxury hot ..read more

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Bathhouse Row, Downtown Hot Springs, Arkansas (credit: Visit Hot Springs) Every Summer, one of Park Cities most popular road trips is a trek to Mt. Ida, Arkansas where parents deliver their children to experience a week or six at popular Camp Ozark. For families looking to extend their quality time together on either end of a camp session, or for weary parents looking to enjoy their freedom for a few days after the drop-off, Hot Springs is a great addition to your summer itinerary. Located just 44 miles to the west of Mt. Ida, Hot Springs was recently awarded the designation of Top Arkansas A ..read more

I visited Jane McGarry on the set of WFAA’s Good Morning Texas to share tips for a smoother travel experience and tips to maximize your dollars. Here are the topics discussed in this segment: Download and Use Your Airline’s App - Unless you're checking a bag, there's no reason to use the check-in desk or deal with a fingerprint-smudged kiosk at the airport. Download your airline's app ahead of time, make sure your reservation details are in, and then use it to check-in. That way, you can head straight to security when you arrive at the airport. Many airlines now offer free onboard entertainm ..read more

Since opening at The Village in May 2021, the Brazilian cuisine of Chef Junior Borges at Meridian has won almost every award the Dallas press can give and had foodies flocking through its doors. A year plus after its opening, it’s still almost impossible to get a reservation. What’s been a little quieter, is praise for Meridian’s next-door neighbor, the Drey Hotel, which opened in October 2021 and the two dining concepts located inside its walls, La Mina and Anise. Well, call me Christopher Columbus, because after a recent staycation I am here to reveal my happy discovery of this hidde ..read more

  It’s impossible to not relax amongst the beautiful landscape and wildlife found in Fredericksburg, Texas   Willkommen (or welcome) to your Fredericksburg adventure. The city of Fredericksburg was founded in 1846 by German immigrants with German being the predominant language spoken there until the 1940’s. Today, the city is known for several things: its German heritage found in the town’s local architecture and cuisine, the 20 different varieties of delicious Gillespie County peaches, and its many wineries. Fredericksburg offers a wonderful balance of historic charm mixed with wo ..read more

  The Pineapple Fountain is a focal point of the Charleston Waterfront Park   Charleston, South Carolina is one of America’s most charming small towns; rich in history and culture and overflowing with culinary options for even the most cultured of palates. An easy two-and-a-half-hour flight from Dallas, Charleston is a delightful escape from the hustle and bustle of Dallas. The city is a captivating combination of old-world history and charm paired with all the modern amenities, world-class chefs, and cultural attractions you need to create a memorable vacation.  I worked with ..read more

  While travel has opened back up in recent months, there are many who are still reluctant to venture outside of the U.S. to COVID-19 restrictions and safety concerns. If you enjoy being outdoors, then Scottsdale, Arizona is a city to consider for your next getaway. The city enjoys warm and sunny weather throughout most of the year, providing a near perfect climate to enjoy the many outdoor activities the region has to offer. Even winter months are mild and have brisk night temperatures that drop to around the high 40s, with highs during the day around the high 60s, so pack layers because ..read more