Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Wander.
Thumbing It
Naomi, June, and I made up the usual hitchhiking ensemble. Naomi was this really "out there" type, small with glasses. She had hitched all over Europe. June was a big girl, tall and big hipped. Then there was me, smack dab in the middle. We would carry signs that were funny and sing and dance on the side of the road, putting on a show so people would see us as non-threatening. We were in college at the State University at Fredonia, so we'd pop into Buffalo, about 60 miles away, to visit friends. We went lots of places. We only had a problem once. We were hitchin' through Pennsylvania, and a semi stopped for us. There was one guy in the truck, and we were three, so it seemed safe enough. He suggested two of us sit in the bunk in the back. When June opened the curtain, there were two more guys inside. The tension went up instantly. We were darting glances at each other. They propositioned us and pulled into a sleazy motel parking lot. We just said "no thanks," and we got out. Now we were stuck on some backwater road, and while it wasn't late, it was dark. It could have gone very differently, but we lucked out. Towards dawn, we got a lift back to the main drag. It had been a long cold night, but we were safe.
By Monica Bennett8 years ago in Wander
Most Beautiful Waterfalls in National Parks
There's something about watching the lively, roaring cascade of a waterfall that just puts your mind at ease. Waterfalls are nature's graceful rendition of a fountain—and to this day, no one has proven to be a better architect than Mother Nature herself.
By Iggy Paulsen8 years ago in Wander
Arcadia Archives 1
The ocean state has more to offer than just its gorgeous beaches. It also has wooded paths, rolling fields, mountain bike trails, horseback riding, and fishing and boating areas. The sunset at the beach may be mesmerizing, but very little compares to watching it fall behind a large pond while sitting beneath a large pine tree. The Arcadia Management Area in Rhode Island is a very rarely talked about gem that most people have passed or entered. It spans more than 14,000 acres, making it the largest recreational area in the state. Arcadia covers land in West Greenwich, Exeter, Richmond, and Hopkinton (including Browning Mill Pond, Breakheart Pond, and Frosty Hollow Pond). There are numerous trails and one can spend an entire summer (or longer) investigating all of the territory it covers. It is a place set aside for the community to enjoy the outdoors and to spend quality time with one another without the input of technology. Here, wild life and people converge.
By Katrina Thornley8 years ago in Wander
Standard American Greetings
The usual way Americans say hello to each other is to ask “How are you?” with the answer being, “Fine, thanks.” To outsiders, this is strange since depending on where you come from, the greeting goes deeper than that, as in, to Thais, as reflected in the book Distant Mirrors: America as a Foreign Culture by Phillip R. Devita and James D. Armstrong, it means “Have you eaten?” (p. 69). In the United States, your personal life and your income are something to avoid talking about — but in other countries, not so much. Curiosity is extended to provide further means of discussion.
By Iria Vasquez-Paez8 years ago in Wander
Madame Sherri's Forest
If you’re into hiking and all things old, Madame Sherri’s Forest is a beautiful site to visit and hike, especially in the middle of leaf peeping season. Located on Gulf Road, off Route 9 in Chesterfield, New Hampshire, is the wonderful and breathtaking sights of Madame Sherri’s castle, along with hiking trails that surround the grounds. Even the turning of the leaves cannot take away the beauty and mystery of what remains of the Madame’s castle.
By Katherine Gilfoy8 years ago in Wander
Meet the Bog Lady
I don't know where my nature gene comes from, as absolutely no one else in my family has one. Not even my kids, who I literally dragged through bucolic scenes everywhere. We went on science vacations where we collected minerals and fossils, fished around in tidal pools and visited science museums. One day, I wanted to go to the now defunct Davis Cranberry Bog. My daughter, who had nothing to do that day, decided she would accompany me. In retrospect, it seems she came just to antagonize me. We had run the gamut in our complicated relationship. This day she was a hormonal tornado ready to blow the roof off my expedition. Even my toddler seemed to know to tread carefully around her that day. Jo could be explosive in this mood.
By Monica Bennett8 years ago in Wander
Best Tin Foil Camping Recipes for Your Next Outing
We have come up with the ultimate list of the best tin foil cooking. You wouldn't guess how many intricate meals you can make with these simple outdoor tools and a bit of preparation. From simple hot dogs to grilled shrimp, there's a meal guaranteed to satisfy any set of taste buds.
By Adrian Scott8 years ago in Wander
How to Buy Travel Insurance
Living in the carefree days of my twenties, the thought of travel insurance never crossed my mind. When I was young I never truly thought about the incidentals, my laser-like focus was on the end goal…my trip. Like any invincible youth, I couldn’t envision anything that might go wrong to ruin my travel plans. Now that I’m older and marginally wiser, I can see the value in protecting myself, my investment and my hard-earned money.
By Kimberly Adams8 years ago in Wander
Big, Bad Boston
Boston conjures up so many thoughts as to its history, architecture, sports teams, and more. When I think of Bean Town, I have memories of a different sort. There came a time when my parents went to Europe and left me alone with my younger sister. Big mistake. The house became party central. We didn't drink or do drugs. Instead, we hosted all night games of dictionary, charades, and Broadway musicals. There were people staying in the basement and wall-to-wall bodies sleeping everywhere else. We had lasagna for thirty people one night. In the midst of this mayhem, I suggested to my friend Joanne that we go to Boston for a few days. The last thing my dad said to me was "Don't use the car for anything other than going to and from work." So we packed up dad's old Skylark, filled up the tank with Jo's father's credit card and split. I quit my job, left my sister with a houseful, and disappeared with Jo. Responsibility was not my strong suit.
By Monica Bennett8 years ago in Wander
Between Real-Life and Dream-Walking
Not very many children, or most people for that matter, are aware of that fact that one of Sun Prairie’s own parks is home to one of the most beautiful spring-fed ponds in the area. So many people pass the entrance to this piece of paradise on a daily basis, completely oblivious to the treasure that lies a little way down the water. Approaching the tattered old bridge over the stream, one would never guess that a magical world lives beyond the rugged pine trees and moss-covered rocks. However, if one dares to venture down the path less traveled, they may find a breathtaking experience waiting to greet them.
By Sati Ewers-Kubly8 years ago in Wander
