Travel Bloggers ‘Find Yours’ in Australia, Paris, Morocco, London, and Seattle

Ever wanted to star in a video about you? Well here’s your chance…… Travel Bloggers ‘Find Yours’ in Australia, Paris, Morocco, London, and Seattle

BELLEVUE, Wash., June 5, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Expedia.com®, the world’s largest online travel company, today announced the Expedia® Viewfinder Film Contest, open to travel bloggers. In partnership with the National Film Festival for Talented Youth (NFFTY), one winner will get the chance to travel to one of five pre-selected destinations with a NFFTY filmmaker. Expedia worked with NFFTY to determine five iconic cities often seen on the silver screen, including: Australia, Paris, Morocco, London, and Seattle. The Expedia Viewfinder Film Contest starts today, June 5 and the entry period will close on June 30, 2013.

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10 ways to Leverage Social Media: Dream BIG and make it Happen!

10 ways to Leverage Social Media: Dream BIG and make it Happen! We started the MidLife Road Trip almost four years. It began as a simple conversation on Twitter. We actually met on Twitter. Rick lives in Atlanta Georgia with his wife, while Sandi lives inTampa, Florida with her husband. We often joke we have almost 50 years of marriage between us but to other people. Rick was raised in the south, a true southern gentleman while Sandi grew up at a fast and furious pace in New York. Our unlikely social friendship has grown into a successful business partnership.

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Top 20 Twitter Travel Experts

The Travel Media Group released a white paper listing the Top 20 Twitter Travel Experts. Congrats to Midlife Road Trip co-host, Rick Griffin, for eating and tweeting his way into foodie/traveler expert status with the likes of Anthony Bourdain, Andrew Zimmern and Niamh Shields!   Here’s an excerpt from the white paper.      The Foodie – If you fit in The Foodie category you probably hate chain restaurants and are willing to try anything new. You get a thrill out of the [...]

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A day immersed in the arts in St. Petersburg, Florida

Downtown St. Petersburg is a hub of activity with its sidewalk cafes, shops, galleries, museums and green space with the third largest waterfront park in North America, making it the perfect setting for frequent art shows and concerts. Taking center stage since 1925 is the salmon-colored, elegantly imposing, Renaissance Vinoy Resort and Golf Club, a 375 room luxury resort, the only luxury resort on the west coast of Florida. I like a she-she foo-foo hotel with all the bells, whistles and amenities, especially when travelling alone and the Vinoy has it all.

Make the Vinoy your home base and you are an easy walk from some of the best museums in the area. Depending on your fitness level and whether or not you are wearing comfortable shoes, everything is within walking distance. I have a habit of wearing shoes because they’re cute and have ended up buying sneakers on just about every trip we take. My suitcase is starting to look like Footlocker. It’s pretty hot here year round so stay hydrated, there are plenty of places to stop and quench your thirst along the way.

One way you can beat the heat and humidity is to ‘step inside’ and check out some of the areas world-class museums and exhibits in downtown.

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Learning to Dance #BucketList

Sandi goes behind the scenes at Battle of the Dance in Anaheim, California where she learns a step or two from some of the best in the business. Is she ready for Dancing with the Stars? You be the judge! Either way, she got to check something off her Bucket List.

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Skydiving – A Great Way to Kick Off a Midlife Crisis

There’s no better way to kick off a midlife crisis than to jump out of an airplane! Watch as Rick checks a big item off his bucket list.  

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Behind the Scenes ~ Berry Fresh Cafe

We received several emails telling us that we HAD to eat at the Berry Fresh Cafe in Port St. Lucie , Florida. So when we were in the area filming at the PGA Village, we  stopped by and were treated to some great food and great fun.

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Driving a Race car in Talladega #NASCAR

We always love tagging along with others when they get to fulfill their bucket list dreams. Here’s a fun behind the scenes look at the Dale Jarrett Racing Adventure at the Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Alabama with our friend Max Akins, where we drove real NASCAR race-cars at speeds of 174mph!  

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Behind the Scenes with Andrew Zimmern

While at Guy Fieri’s closing party at the South Beach Wine and Food Festival, we ran into one of our favorite Travel Channel celebrities, Andrew Zimmern, host of Bizarre Foods, eating of all things,  a cupcake.

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Louisiana Swamp Tour

Rick heads to the Atchafalaya Basin near Baton Rouge for a swamp tour on a fan boat – checking one more item off the Bucket List. Check out our other exciting adventures in  Baton Rouge:  Houmas House Plantation and Gardens Tailgating at LSU Fan Boat Swamp Tour Making Mango Crab Cakes Midlife Road Trip Theme Song  Jambalaya Jam

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Behind the Scenes at the PGA Village #golf

We got to check something else off our Bucket List as we  trained at the official PGA Training Center in Port St. Lucie, Florida. It was so cool learning from the people who train the pros on the PGA tour. The technology they use is nothing short of AMAZING.  

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Welcome to Midlife Southwest Airlines!

As self-proclaimed experts, we consider 40 to be the age where midlife begins… approximately.  We don’t define midlife as the halfway point in life. Instead, we think of midlife as middle third of a long life. Midlifers are well beyond the growing pains of childhood and adolescence. They’ve rounded life’s learning curve in their 20s and 30s and are now ready to embrace who they are and begin living life to the fullest! This yeas, as midlife ambassadors, we congratulate [...]

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OMG An Eight Pound Cheeseburger!

We visited The Catch, just across from Angels stadium in Anaheim, California where Rick witnessed the making of the famous “OMG” – an enormous eight pound cheeseburger!  

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Winter the Dolphin’s Message of Hope has inspired millions

Winter the Dolphin’s message of hope has inspired millions of people of all ages from around the world and WE are among them!

Did you ever have one of those days when you just felt like giving up? Most of us have at one time or another. MidLife is no exception, especially when you decide to start over, launch a new venture. Sure, people question your sanity. After all, MidLife is the time to sit on you laurels not change course. But, in spite of it all you plow forward, making the most of your MidLife and draw inspiration and motivation from everything and everyone around you.

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Shrimp Fra Diablo #Recipe

This Shrimp Fra Diablo #Recipe is just what you need to spice up your menu! I had the pleasure to dine at Timpanos Italian Chophouse in Tampa the other night. It was a great meal and I tasted just about everything on the menu from meatballs to mussels. One of my favorite dishes was the Shrimp Fra Diablo. Packed with flavor and a little kick, the Shrimp Fra Diablo was a personal favorite so I asked, and they gave me the recipe to share with you. Their recipe is for a single serving, but I would multiply by five (because that’s MY size single serving) …..

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#Nuts Voted ‘Funniest Chat on Twitter’ #WeMadeThatUp

Guess What? #Nuts Voted ‘Funniest Chat on Twitter’ Just Kidding, #WeMadeThatUp

It is however, an hour of laugh out loud fun on Twitter. 1 question, every 6 minutes focusing on Food, Travel and Adventure for a total of 10 questionsbetween 3:30 pm and 4:30 pm est. Better than a soap opera, less irritating than The View, the #NUTS Twitter chat guarantees to put you in a good mood! Today we’re “Airing It All Out” as we explore the ups and downs of air travel. Hope you can join us, we have even created a Tweet Grid making it even easier to follow along!

The numbers don’t lie.

#NUTS averages approximately 11 million impressions per session.
Our current record is over 23 Million impressions, reaching an audience of over 1.2 Million!

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Quaint, Quirky and Colorful … The Madonna Inn

Quaint, Quirky and Colorful … The Madonna Inn shatters the illusion that all hotels look alike. The Madonna Inn’s humble beginnings started in 1958.with only 12 rooms but quickly expanded. Sitting on 2200 acres, the architecture and construction encompassed all the natural resources found on the property including the rocks, some of which weigh in excess of 200 tons each.
Now boasting 110 rooms, individually designed and decorated so that each is unique, you can opt for a different experience each time you stay. Throughout the inn you’’ll find etched, leaded windows & glass work all custom made as well as custom crafted wood carvings. The hand carved balustrade in the dining room was originally from Hearst castle and the 28-foot gold tree fixture that sits in the main dining room is made of excess electrical conduit from building projects and left over copper remnants.

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They say a picture is worth a 1,000 words. Caption This!

They say a picture is worth a 1,000 words. So are expressions. Caption This!

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Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with Crab Tostadas and Chipotle Remoulade #Recipe

Join us in celebrating Cinco de Mayo with Crab Tostadas and Chipotle Remoulade a recipe we got from the Four Seasons in Los Angeles, Executive Chef, Ashley James. One of our favorite places to unwind is their Windows Lounge. Plush sofas, comfortable armchairs and an inviting outdoor patio provided us a great place to relax, people watch ( favorite pastime of ours) and sample enticing appetizers from around the world, try a specialty martini (or two) and peruse the extensive wine list. We know you’ll enjoy this Crab Tostadas as much as we did!

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In search of the elusive San Francisco treat

While we came to the city by the bay in search of the elusive San Francisco treat, “Rice or Roni” we found so much more! We stayed at the Five Star Four Seasons San Francisco is located in the Yerba Buena cultural district in downtown San Francisco, two blocks from Union Square, the Financial District, the Moscone Convention Center and the Museum of Modern Art. A welcome sight after a long drive of the coast. Sometimes our journey uncovers something really special. Luxury and comfort aside, this hotels beauty goes beyond skin deep and has a big & caring heart.

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La Dolce Vita … The Sweet Life

On Santa Monica Boulevard, a little Italian restaurant, La Dolce Vita “The Sweet Life” sits unassumingly since 1966. While outwardly it’s unremarkable, inside it is the keeper of stories of some of Hollywood’s most notorious characters. Restored to it’s original glory during a 7 month hiatus, owner Alessandro Uzielli, clearly passionate about this rare treasure, resurrected the decor and menu that contributed to its previous success.

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Data Reveals Top Five Most Visited and Searched For Destinations

We travel often. So when Sojern, the world’s leading data-driven traveler engagement platform, released the top U.S. consumer travel trends from the first quarter of the year, including most visited destinations, most desired/searched for destinations we took notice. These trends are based on the analysis of more than 400 million traveler intent data points, obtained through Sojern’s exclusive partnerships with the world’s most renowned travel brands.

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Traveling with Purpose in National Parks

What better way to celebrate Earth Day and National Parks Week than to feature ARAMARK Parks and Destinations.

There’s no better way to welcome warmer weather than with travel to the great outdoors. America offers vast wilderness for people to explore from the grandest of National Parks, to undisturbed forestland. If this isn’t inspiration enough to lace up your hiking boots, April is also Keep America Beautiful Month, and home to National Parks Week (April 20-26) and Earth Day (April 22). Perfect excuses to leave civilization, head out into wild and explore our great resources while leaving only foot (or hoof) prints behind.

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Times Square Bucket List

We met some interesting people in Times Square in New York City and we got some pretty interesting answers to the question, “What’s on your Bucket List?” Here’s our Bucket List. Leave a comment and let us know what’s on yours.   

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The National Civil Rights Museum

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968 at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee.  Today the property is the site of the National Civil Rights Museum and is a the legacy of those who fought for racial freedom and equality. This year, for the first time, visitors are afforded the unique experience of being allowed to walk out on the balcony in front of Dr. King’s room, number 306 which has been preserved exactly as it was 45 years [...]

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A Guide to Time Travel

A Guide to Time Travel

What if you could travel back in time? Where would you go?

And this isn’t some theoretical exercise. Time travel is real. Or at least, there is a form of it being offered on the north banks of the St. Lawrence River this summer.

In a sleepy corner of eastern Canada two major anniversaries are converging to offer visitors a unique glimpse of the past.

Two hundred years ago, Pride & Prejudice was first published, while a war raged here in North America. The first attracts fans from all over the world, while the second is part of a well-funded commemoration for the War of 1812. Together, the two anniversaries are creating a brilliant world of living history along the St. Lawrence River this summer.

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Recipe For Success: Rachelle Lucas, a.k.a. @TravelBlggr revisited

Recipe For Success: Rachelle Lucas, a.k.a. @TravelBlggr, a freelance writer, videographer and spokesperson with a focus on travel, food and social media who believes the best way to learn about a destination is through its flavors.

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Quick and Easy Chicken Cutlets #WeekdaySupper

Quick and Easy Chicken Cutlets for a #WeekdaySupper are the perfect fast and flavorful dinner fix for the busy traveler or fussy family. The beauty of a simple chicken cutlet is that 1) most people including finicky kids love them 2) They’re fast, ready in less than 30 minutes from start to finish 3) They can be personalized to individualized palates by adding sauces and dips. Cutlets can be paired with a simple classic red sauce for an italian flair, BBQ sauce for kid friendly dipping, a ‘companies coming’ mushroom cream sauce, or a mustard caper sauce (recipe below).

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Rachel Gaffney’s Real Ireland

It’s no secret that going to Ireland is on our Bucket List! Seeing Rachel Gaffney’s REAL Ireland however, is on the very TOP of that list! You may have seen her in Gourmet, Martha Stewart Living or in syndication on Hulu, ATT Uverse, AOL, and foodie sites such as iFood. However, her passion and her love for her homeland of Ireland really takes center stage in conversation, the stories she shares, the mouth watering recipes she prepares and her vast knowledge of all things Irish.

By way of County Cork, now living in Texas, Rachel epitomizes the traditional-meets-contemporary approach to Irish recipes and foods shared by The Irish Kitchen. We’re excited to share a couple of her favorite recipes (and surely to be ours) for Apple Irish Whiskey Tarts with a side of Homemade Brown Bread Ice Cream.

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Happy Hump Day! Rhino’s Playing Leap Frog

Happy Hump Day!! It’s not every day you get to see rhinos playing leap-frog! If you love animals, you’l love our behind the scenes look at Lion Country Safari, in West Palm Beach Florida.

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Austin Texas is Weird and we love it! #SXSW

Austin, Texas is weird and we love it! Austin is known for incredible food and fantastic music and #SXSW … Take a behind the scenes peek at what weird about Austin! And .. another check off our Bucket List!

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Aloft Hotel in Birmingham, Alabama is Swanky and Soho Chic

The Aloft Hotel in Birmingham, Alabama is swanky and Soho Chic. When you arrive at you feel like you’ve just come home to your stylishly luxurious loft apartment in the hip part of town. Nestled within a trendy little area called Soho Square in the suburban city of Homewood, we found our home away from home.

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Behind the Scenes ~ South Beach Wine & Food Festival #sobewff

  Wine, food and celebrities – what more could you want? The South Beach Wine and Food Festival is like Spring Break for adults. We got to sample the creations from some of the best known chefs in the world!

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Happy President’s Day

Happy President’s Day

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Great tips and advice for ski season

 Great tips and advice for ski season

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The Great Debate Continues~ Smooth or Crunchy? What’s YOUR preference …

It’s National Peanut Butter Day! Smooth or Crunchy? What’s YOUR preference …

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This week’s #Nuts Guest Therapist Spotlight is on Carrie a.k.a. @CruiseBuzz

This week’s #Nuts Guest Therapist is Carrie a.k.a. @CruiseBuzz What’s on your bucket list?  My bucket list includes travel to places to see penguins, ruins, and water.

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Meatloaf that will make you swoon and Datz the truth #SundaySupper #recipe

We kid you not when we say this is a meatlof recipe that will make you swoon AND  Datz  the truth! One of our favorite comfort meals that brings back memories of being around the family table is meatloaf, mashed potatoes and peas. It’s not that easy to make a moist meatloaf and it’s even harder to find one in a restaurant. Today, we bring you the best of both!  Recently, Datz was featured on the Travel Channel show “Meatloaf Paradise” for their [...]

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Ski Lessons on the Greatest Snow on Earth

Learning to ski has been on Sandi’s bucket list for a long time, so we ventured to Utah so she could take ski lessons on the Greatest Snow on Earth! Check out these great tips for anyone skiing this season.

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Healthy Snack Alert: Almond and Date Delight #Recipe

Looking for a Healthy Snack? This almond and date delight T is inspired by Larabar, a popular line of whole food bars that feature dates. This version mimics the taste of the beloved Almond Joy. While it wouldn’t be considered a low-fat snack, the combination of fruit, nuts and chocolate is much healthier than any candy bar. Recipe below.

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College Football Game Day #RollTide

Here’s a behind the scenes look at our college football game day adventures in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Be sure and watch the out-takes at the end of the video:)  

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The Art of Finding Great Value Wines – 5 simple tips

        Wine doesn’t have to be expensive to to be good. In fact, there are many quality wines for under $10, but there is an art to finding these gems. Though taking a chance on an inexpensive bottle of wine is hardly a risky undertaking, following these simple guidelines will help you with the art of finding great value wines.   Research! The internet is full of awesome resources for wine lovers. One of my favorite sites [...]

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Raising a glass of Emeril’s Champagne Punch to you! #sundaysupper

en #SundaySupper decided to throw a potluck we knew right away we’d make Emeril’s Champagne Punch! (Recipe Below) Since successfully arriving in MidLife, every day is a celebration! We love nothing more than getting together with friends for laughs and good times, whether talking about world travels or a delicious new recipe. Raising a glass of Emeril’s Champagne Punch to you and wishing you a healthy, happy and well traveled New Year!

A great example of never giving up on pursuing your dreams, Emeril Lagasse has inspired us to “Kick it up a Notch” when it comes to our own journey!

Our favorite Emeril Quotes: “When I first decided to open a restaurant, I was turned down by several banks. It was the late 80′s and many restaurants were failing. I refused to give up because I knew I had a good concept”

“Life just doesn’t hand you things. You have to get out there and make things happen. that’s the exciting part” “If you think big, then it’s going to be big”

RECIPE

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Segway to Kansas City ….

Segway to Kansas City! We had no idea how much fun and how interesting a Segway tour of Kansas City’s Union Station would be. We absolutely loved it and it was one of our favorite things about Kansas City! The weather was perfect, which was unusual because every other day of the trip the wind was relentless. The Segway store is right inside Union Station and after a brief tutorial on how to start and stop we were zipping around [...]

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The Ultimate Party Appetizer

Who knew making the Ultimate Party Appetizer could be so simple yet flavorful. Every once in awhile you find a brand that captures your attention(and taste buds) and it becomes a staple in your kitchen. That was certainly the case with Intensity Academy. Their award winning marinades, chups and hot sauces are regulars in the MidLife Road Trip pantry.

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Food Porn: Taking the Moaning Out of the Bedroom and Putting it in the Kitchen where it Belongs

Disclaimer: Food Porn Alert! Taking the Moaning Out of the Bedroom and Putting it in the Kitchen where it Belongs! We originally met Chef Debbie Frangipane on twitter. As luck would have it, she invited us to dinner IRL . We were greeted at the door that evening by her husband and Unsavory Adventurer, author Barry Frangipane and since that fateful evening, we have never looked at dessert quite the same. The dinner was amazing but what was to follow was almost [...]

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Merry Christmas from the MidLife Road Trip

Are you on Santa’s Nice List? Since he’s drinking from a Midlife Road Trip coffee mug, we’re hoping that’s a sign that we are:)

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This Wine is the Cat’s Meow

Lately I’ve been trying to eat a healthier diet. I remain a carnivore, but I’m including more chicken and fish in my diet and and less red meat. I generally prefer red wine, and while there are many reds that pair very well with foul and seafood, my new diet is giving me a good excuse to experience more whites. I found a simple recipe for pan seared scallops on the Food Network’s website and decided to pair it with [...]

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Top 10 List: Tips to Navigating a Food Chat on Twitter

We love Twitter Chats, after all we created one of our own ( #nuts ) just over 2 years ago! They’re fun, a great way to meet like-minded people and learn about a subject near and dear to you. One of favorite type of chats is the Food Chat. You can find a food chat on Twitter just about any day of the week which is why we created the Top 10 list: Navigating a Food Chat on Twitter. Let the countdown begin!

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The Stetson Mansion “Decks the Halls”

Nobody “Decks the Halls” quite like the Stetson Mansion in Deland, Florida. Florida’s first luxury home built in 1886 by famed hat maker and philanthropist John B. Stetson is transformed into a winter wonderland throughout the holiday season.   Holiday music is heard on the baby grand player piano as you take a guided tour through three  gorgeous floors of holiday decor where you’ll learn the history of the mansion and hear the inspiring story of the new owners and their [...]

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Salted Caramel Thumbprint Cookies

Disclaimer: I am not a baker. So, when my Salted Caramel Thumbprint Cookies turned out, no one was more surprised than me! #SundaySupper put out the holiday cookie challenge and well you know us, we never met a challenge we wouldn’t try. After all, Midlife is about stepping out of your comfort zone and well baking from scratch is quite uncomfortable! This recipe is easy. Very Easy. The cookies are melt-in-your mouth delicious with the perfect combination of sweet from the caramel with the sprinkling of sea salt. Truly a match made in cookie heaven.

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A Wino’s Guide to Holiday Wines

Choosing, gifting, and drinking wines for the holidays? Of course you are! Here is your “wino” guide for picking the perfect wine for all of the festivities. Holiday Office Party You don’t have to skimp on quality when buying in quantity for the

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Tea for two and a cookie sommelier is born! #NationalCookieDay

While staying at the Ritz-Carlton in Phoenix, Arizona, one of Sandi’s dreams came true during a “Tea for Two” courtesy the handsome and multi-talented Ritz Carlton Tea Sommelier, Mr. Jeffery Hattrick. Watch as she is christened the worlds first cookie sommelier! As always look for the out-takes at the end!

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Cooking Channel’s “Extra Virgin” Gabriele Corcos #SundaySupper Gnocchi di Patate #Recipe

When the #SundaySupper community decided to share recipes from celebrity chefs, we new exactly what to share! I have been a fan of cooking shows for years, since back in the day when I would have to wait for Saturday when public television would air a handful of chefs whipping up their specialties. Fast forward to 2012 and to my utter joy, 24/7 you’ll find cooking show after cooking show. One of my absolute favorites is “Extra Virgin” hosted by husband and wife Gabriele Corcos and Debi Mazar. They are absolutely charming, entertaining and they cook up one delicious dish after another on the Cooking Channel. With a very popular cooking show, a growing product line, fabulous website ‘Under the Tuscan Gun’, two beautiful daughters and travels that take this busy couple around the world, I asked Gabriele how it all began and what’s next.

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Grammy Nominee Dave Koz .. Talkin’ Music, Friends, Cookies & Social Media oh my!

We had the pleasure of interviewing six-time GRAMMY® Award nominee Dave Koz . His live show, “Dave Koz and Friends A Smooth Jazz Christmas ″ is a hit, year after year! The Famous Audrey Koz Chocolate Chip Cookie 1/3 cup softened butter 1/4 cup Canola oil 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 cup brown sugar 1 large egg 1/2 teaspoon vanilla 1 1/2 tablespoon Frangelico 1 1/2 cup flour 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1 1/2 cup chocolate chips 1 Heath bar chopped into small [...]

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Popping the Cork (wine review)

It’s #WineWednesday and nothing says celebration like the sound of a Champagne cork popping. So this week as I celebrated both of my parent’s birthdays and the second anniversary of Midlife Road Trip’s #NUTS (Not-so Usual Therapy Session), I popped the cork of two Bafefoot Bubbly Champagnes. Most of the guys at the celebration seemed to prefer the crisp Brut Cuvée with hints of green apple, while the gals absolutely loved the sweeter Pink Moscato with its fruity aromas and [...]

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Thanksgiving Leftovers: Turkey Bolognese #Recipe

If you’re anything like me by the time Thanksgiving is said and done, I have had enough of the ‘fixins’ so I went in search of an un-turkey like recipe and found a simple & quick one by Giada. Buon Appetito!

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Leftover Turkey: Turkey a la King #Recipe

  There are so many great dishes to make from Turkey leftovers it’s almost impossible to narrow it down to one. Turkey a la King is simple, filling and can be put together in minutes. It may be called Turkey a la King, but it’s fit for a Queen! 

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Wonder Bread, Twinkies and Childhood Memories

TAhhh the childhood memories! Wonder Bread and Twinkies were a staple in every baby boomers home. There was a time when eating all things white was what we did. Putting something sweet in your child’s Flinstones lunchbox was not call for alarm but an acceptable practice. Of course this was before the days of seat belts and car seats. Wonder Bread .. It was a staple growing up, we thought “it did a body good.” Everyday from kindergarten through high school I brought a peanut butter and grape jelly sandwich to school. EVERY day, I kid you not. It always was followed up with something sweet (as if a PB & J on white bread wasn’t sweet enough). Somehow I survived. I wasn’t an overweight kid, partially because my parents sent me out of the house “to play in traffic” soon after sunrise, only to return for dinner. It was a time of innocence, when small things had a big impact, like the joy of treat in your lunch box.

Hostess Twinkies have spanned generations. In recent years they have made a resurgence, Deep Fried at State Fairs. So popular throughout the years, their was even a Twinkies Cookbook featuring recipes like Twinkie Sushi, Twinkie Burrito, Pigs in a Twinkie and the holiday classic Pumpkin Twinkie Bread Pudding. While I have never personally been a fan of the “Twinkie” I feel like another piece is being chipped away from my childhood. The goofy commercials and the silly grocery store displays were all part of growing up in the boomer generation.

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Beer Brats with Kickoff Kraut

Tailgating season is in full swing and Beer Brats with Kickoff Kraut are a great way to pimp your party! Ingredients: beer brats, beer, sauerkraut, red pepper relish (hot or sweet depending on your liking) caraway seeds and rye buns.     Kickoff Kraut 1.  Add about 1 pound of drained sauerkraut to a large saucepan over medium to medium-high heat. 2.  Pour in approximately 3/4 of an amber beer – drink the rest:) 3.  Stir in approximately 4 oz of [...]

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Adventure, the Quirky & Five Star Cuisine, Hocking Hills Ohio has something for everyone!

No matter where we go we always find something that each of us loves. Rick tends to be the more adventurous of the two, jumping out of planes, zip lining or even participating in Zestfest’s “Loli-Lick-a-thon, the hottest lick on a stick. Sandi on the other hand gravitates towards the serene: like a day at the spa, a leisurely stroll down Main Street or spending the afternoon in the kitchen with a favorite local chef! Hocking Hills, Ohio has Adventure, the Quirky & Five Star Cuisine, a little something for everyone! They had plenty to entertain the adventurer in Rick and feed the soul of Sandi!

What we loved about Hocking Hills, Ohio

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Learning the Ropes at Tejas Rodeo School

Rick and Sandi are learning the ropes in this fun-filled behind the scenes look at the Tejas Rodeo in San Antonio, Texas. … just one more thing checked off the Bucket List! 

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Pawn Stars ……

No road trip is complete without a shopping excursion. So on a recent trip to Florida’s east coast,  we became Pawn Stars at this unique boutique.  

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Tailgating at LSU

We headed down to Baton Rouge, Louisiana for some great food and crazy fun with people who take their tailgating as seriously as they take their LSU football.   Check out our other exciting adventures in  Baton Rouge:  Houmas House Plantation and Gardens Tailgating at LSU Fan Boat Swamp Tour Making Mango Crab Cakes Midlife Road Trip Theme Song  Jambalaya Jam

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Walking Across the Golden Gate Bridge

While on our trip up the Pacific Coast Highway, we joined our friend Vicky Akins in a walk across the Golden Gate Bridge to check one more thing off our Bucket List.

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A Gift from the Kitchen: Orange BBQ Sauce #SundaySupper #Recipe

Wherever we travel we always bring a little something home with us. On a recent trip to Hocking Hills, Ohio we had the pleasure of staying at the Inn and Spa at Cedar Falls. Tucked away in the hills, the Inn at Cedar Falls is truly a hidden gem with it’s open kitchen giving diners an up close view of the gourmet food preparation. When Sunday Supper put out a holiday gift giving challenge we didn’t have to look far. We found a great recipe from the Inn for an Orange BBQ Sauce that we loved and just had to share. It’s easy to make and presents well. It’s the perfect choice for our gift from the kitchen!

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Patriotic Watertown, NY (VIDEO) #BestOfTheRoad

With just a few hours notice before the MidLife Road Trip teams arrival, Watertown, NY the 1st small town on our Most Patriotic route jumped into action and we were whisked away by a police escort as we drove into town & were taken to the Army’s 237th Birthday Ball! 

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The Pencil Sharpener Museum

One of our favorite things to do on a road trip is to visit off-beat, quirky museums. The Paul A. Johnson Pencil Sharpener Museum in the beautiful Hocking Hills of Ohio is said to be the largest collection of pencil sharpeners in the world! Sporting over 3400 pencil sharpeners, the museum offers a nostalgic look at getting to the point.      Paul Johnson’s amazing collection  and the shed in which he housed it, was donated to the Hocking Hills [...]

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Hip Hop, Amish and Midlife Beatbox

Sandi learns to beatbox in this fun look at some of our behind-the-scenes adventures in New York City, a place where cultures collide:)  Bucket List checked! 

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Mango Crab Cakes Recipe with {VIDEO}

Chef Jeremy Langlois of Latil’s Landing Restaurant shows us first hand how to make his famous Mango Crab Cakes.  If you ever visit the Houmas House Plantation and Gardens, you’ll definitely want to give these a try.  Here’s the recipe from Chef Jeremy’s website Crab and Mango Cake with Chipotle Remoulade Sauce   

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Looking for Halloween Vacation Ideas: Check out Baton Rouge, Louisiana and The 13th Gate

In search of  Halloween Vacation Ideas?  Check out Baton Rouge, Louisiana where we got an extreme makeover and a behind the scenes tour of one of America’s most Haunted Attractions, The 13th Gate!  

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Jambalaya Jam in Baton Rouge – a Fantastic Fall Festival

The annual Jambalaya Jam in Baton Rouge, Louisiana is a must for fall festival fanatics. Guests at this incredible down town street party are invited to dance in the streets to live music and sample some of Louisiana’s best jambalaya from over 40 competing teams.   These folks are as serious about their jambalaya as LSU fans are about their football.  Check out our other exciting adventures in  Baton Rouge:  Houmas House Plantation and Gardens Tailgating at LSU Fan Boat [...]

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Chateau Avalon; A World Away

Did you ever just want to get away from it all, perhaps somewhere in history or on a deserted island? If so, Chateau Avalon in Kansas City is the place for you, it’s a World Away!  It was breathtaking as we arrived with a circular drive, illuminated fountain and the Chateau perched high upon a hill, the centerpiece on twenty eight acres. We were greeted by a commanding set of double doors that open to a lobby with a grand [...]

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Helicopter Glacier Landing in Alaska

Taking a helicopter trip to the Rose Glacier allowed Rick to knock two things off his bucket list in one day!

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Los Angeles By Air

Sandi gets a bird’s eye view of Los Angeles while taking flying lessons! Bucket List CHECK!  

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Houmas House Plantation and Gardens

Just a short drive from Baton Rouge, Louisiana you’ll find The Crown Jewel of Louisiana’s River Road, the Houmas House Plantation and Gardens, a 16 room grand antebellum estate filled with period antiques, Louisiana artwork and spectacular gardens. Beautiful inside and out, we got lost in the history and the amazing landscape. The tour guides are amazing and transport you back to the hay day of the Houmas House.

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Tailgating Tips

We met some incredible people and picked up some great tailgating tips in our recent visit to Tuscaloosa, Alabama.  

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Whale Watching

      Sandi gets an up close look at some of the biggest animals on earth on a whale watching adventure from the Dana Wharf in Dana Point, California. Meanwhile, Rick loses his sandal. Bucket List CHECKED!  

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Behind the Scenes – Fashion Night Out NYC #FNO

  Just a quick behind the scenes look at our super fun Fashion Night Out adventures in New York City during Fashion Week. Bucket List CHECK!

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Learning to Surf

There’s no better  place to learn how to surf than Hunting Beach California, a.k.a. Surf City USA … and there’s nothing more fun than watching Rick wipe out… time and time again… and again as he checks “Learning to Surf” off his Bucket List.  

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The Sights and Sounds of London

London through the eyes of Rick Griffin. Follow along as he takes you on a whirlwind tour.    Special thanks to Oh-London for the awesome accommodations during our stay in London!

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Duluth, Georgia #BestOfTheRoad (VIDEO)

The very first thing you see when you drive into Duluth, GA are American Flags and markers lining the streets around town. These markers bear the names of deceased U.S. military serviceman and women who served their country. It is an awesome and very humbling sight.  continue reading..  

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VIDEO: DeLand, FL #BestOfTheRoad

On the Best of the Road Rally we found DeLand, Florida to be a city where patriotism runs deep EVERYDAY! Museums, Main Street, and a Magnificent Mansion celebrate Deland’s past, present and future.

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The MidLife Road Trip talks about #BestOfTheRoad on the Daytime Show

Sandi was a guest on the syndicated morning show Daytime to talk about the MidLife Road Trip team in the Rand McNally & USA Today “Best of the Road“ rally, the ultimate coast to coast road trip competition in search of the Best Small Towns in America  

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Getting a Leg Up on the Competition – Road Trip Pedicure

In preparation for a cross country road trip, Rick’s daughter, Sherri takes him to get his first ever pedicure. Tips and Tricks to Stay Young on the Road Travel Exercise Tips for the Ultimate Summer Road Trip Summer Travel Doesn’t have to be a Vacation from Your Diet More than a Road Trip – It’s My Legacy

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America’s Most Famous BBQ Joint

We headed to Tuscaloosa, Alabama to check out Dreamland BBQ – one of the most famous BBQ joints in the whole world!

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Austin’s Famous “Bat Bridge”

Seeing 1.5 million bats take flight is an amazing sight. While in Austin, Texas  we visited the famed Congress Bridge – home of the largest urban bat colony in the world!

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Midlife Road Trip on Dancing With The Stars!

Rick and Sandi learned some moves with the fabulous cast of Battle of the Dance in Anaheim, California. Are they ready for Dancing with the Stars? … you be the judge.

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Making Spring Rolls in Little Saigon

Shopping with Chef Hayley Nguyen in Orange County’s Little Saigon for ingredients to make her famous spring rolls.

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The Pepper People

We got to visit with some of the Hottest People on the Planet at Zest Fest in Irving, Texas.  

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Fantastic, Fabulous, Fun at Zest Fest!

Midlife Road Trip experiences the fine line between pleasure and pain at Zest Fest in Irving, Texas where Rick enters Intensity Academy’s “Hot Lolly Lick-a-thon”, a tongue torturing contest involving the hottest lollipop on the planet. Can you say “OUCH!” ?  

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Midlife Matters ~ Break the Routine

Make the place you stay a part of your adventure!  

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The Famous Marching Peabody Ducks

They’re cute, they’re cuddly and they’ll quack you up. The Famous Marching Peabody Ducks spend the day frolicking in the Orlando’s Peabody Hotel’s fountain. At 5:00 p.m. the Duckmaster escorts the ducks via red carpet, their own private elevator and much fanfare, back to their $100,000 Duck Palace. Each morning at 11:00 a.m. they ceremoniously return to the fountain. Our own Sandi McKenna joined an elite group of celebrities including Paula Deen, Joan Collins, Molly Ringwald, Kevin Bacon, Peter Frampton, [...]

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Our New Theme Song

When visiting the Houmas House, near Baton Rouge, Louisiana our marvelous tour guide, Judy Whitney Davis, wrote and impromptu theme song for the Midlife Road Trip. We LOVE IT!  Thanks Judy!

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Searching for Swag at Blog World Expo #BWELA

Sure there’s plenty to learn at the world’s largest blogger convention, but Rick and Sandi set off in search of the Best Swag at the Blog World Expo in Los Angeles. Who doesn’t like free stuff?  

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What’s on Your Bucket List? – Kansas City

The Midlife Road Trip  stopped by a Tweet-Up in Kansas City and asked a few friends “What’s on your bucket list?”  

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Behind the Scenes ~ NASDAQ

Peter never gave up. Overcoming numerous obstacles and challenges, Peter Vosotas is an example of how taking control of your own destiny can lead you to the success you’ve always dreamed of. Twenty-five years after starting his company he got to check a big one off his professional Bucket List. We got to accompany this Nicholas Financial Chairman and CEO to the NASDAQ Stock Exchange in NYC to ring the closing bell.  

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Interview with the “Godfather of Reality TV” Mark Burnett

On a recent trip to Las Vegas, we had the opportunity to sit down and chat with the Godfather of Reality television, Mark Burnett! We learned what inspires a genius like Mark and of course, we had to ask what was on his bucket list. Mark shared about his latest project,  Sarah Palin’s Alaska, as well as his thoughts on social media and the web.  

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Behind the Scenes ~ NASA TweetUp

A fun, behind the scenes look at the NASA tweetup before the space shuttle Discovery’s last mission, STS-133.  Want to know what an astronaut has on his bucket list? Watch the video!  

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First Stop… Brussels

In their Journey from London to Ulaan Bataar, Mongolia, Rick and his Mongol Rally teammates, Dave, Deb and Sherry make their first stop in Brussels for some sight seeing as Rick checks something else off his Bucket List.  

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