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Photos and Story by Ken Hulsey I've been hanging onto these photos for a while now. Earlier this year, I made a quick visit to the historic downtown area of Texarkana, which is unique because it straddles two states: Texas and Arkansas. I spent most of my time on the Texas side, but it’s pretty cool that the city is split right down the middle, with one side in Texas and the other in Arkansas. 

 Photos and Story by Ken Hulsey Nestled between the Texas towns of Texarkana and Domino lies a place of tranquility and natural splendor - Wright Patman Lake. Formed by a dam built by the Army Corps of Engineers on the Sulphur River, this majestic lake had long piqued my curiosity as I passed the exit while driving to Domino.

 Photo and Story by Ken Hulsey Back in 2013, Terri and I embarked on our first trip to Las Vegas together. As we're not big gamblers, we decided to take our time and soak in all the sights Vegas had to offer. The city is truly a one-of-a-kind destination, with an array of attractions you'd be hard-pressed to find anywhere else.

 Photo and Story by Ken Hulsey This morning, I decided to dive into my photo archives and find an image to share. As luck would have it, the very first image that popped up was a shot I took during our cross-country trip from Winston-Salem, North Carolina to our new home in Victorville, California. Terri and I had stopped in the historic town of Williams, Arizona along the way, and I snapped a photo of a classic car in front of an old gas station on the famous Route 66.

 Photos and Story by Ken Hulsey This past week, I was blessed to spend time in what is quickly becoming my favorite place in the South: Natchez, Mississippi. I was in the area on business, making sales visits with local companies. Our company is trying to expand our presence in Mississippi, so I spent much of my day being charming and witty, discussing the importance of safety meetings and inspections.

 Written By: Ken Hulsey One of my fondest memories from living in New Mexico was exploring the stunning Jemez Mountains. The area was ideal for summer motorcycle rides, hiking adventures, and camping trips. The region is dotted with captivating geological wonders like the Soda Dam (and its picturesque waterfall), the Sulphur Hot Springs, and the towering Battleship Rock. The natural beauty of this place is not only visually breathtaking, but also has a profound, almost spiritual, quality to it. Here are some must-visit spots if you find yourself in the Jemez area.

Photos and Story by Ken Hulsey My work has taken me across our state, and I have encountered dozens of abandoned locations. Louisiana is dotted with such sites where prosperity has given way to poverty and then abandonment. This is a testament to what once was. The reasons for this widespread phenomenon range from declining economic opportunities to the development of highways that bypass small towns and rural areas.

 Photos and Story By Ken Hulsey A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to make a brief stop in one of Terri's and my favorite towns - Lufkin, Texas. With enough time for a stroll downtown, I admired how the area had been decorated for Christmas. The lamp posts were wrapped in red tinsel, and strings of lights hung over the streets. Every storefront and restaurant window was festively adorned for the holidays. It was an enjoyable stroll, and I took the time to appreciate all the holiday flair.

Story and Photos by Ken Hulsey Yesterday, our family journeyed to New Iberia to spend the afternoon immersed in the captivating Joseph Jefferson House and the surrounding Rip Van Winkle Gardens - undoubtedly one of Louisiana's most beautiful and intriguing destinations. This historic site seamlessly blends the past with breathtaking natural splendor, transporting visitors to a world apart from the remote southern Louisiana setting. Situated on the shores of Lake Peigneur on Jefferson Island, the impeccably manicured gardens brim with lush, vibrant flora, luring the senses and inviting one to lose themselves in the illusion of exploring an exotic foreign locale. 

Story and Photos By Ken Hulsey The incredible geological wonder known as Mormon Rocks in Cajon Pass is one of our family's favorite hiking spots. Travelers on Interstate 15 to and from Los Angeles can't miss these mysterious rock formations just off the highway. The area offers numerous hiking trails and the rocks themselves are easy to climb, even for a middle-aged hiker like myself. It's a wonderful place to explore the outdoors and capture stunning nature photography, as evidenced by the photos in this post.

 Story and Photos by Ken Hulsey Last month, while driving from Beaumont, Texas to Lafayette, I stopped at the Explore Louisiana Welcome Center – a familiar pit stop where I had previously stretched my legs and used the facilities. However, this time, a co-worker's recommendation of a nearby nature trail piqued my interest. Though I had been to the center before, I had never ventured out to explore the spectacular swamp trail winding around the adjacent lake.

Photos and Story By: Ken Hulsey Last weekend, Terri and I ventured to Natchez, Mississippi to attend the annual Balloon Festival. Watching the vibrant hot air balloons soar overhead evoked cherished memories of my time living in Albuquerque. This nostalgic experience filled my heart with joy. We're already eager to return next year.

 From travelwyoming.com From Devils Tower to Grand Teton, check out the national parks and landmarks that make the Wyoming wilderness worth wandering. Wyoming’s National Parks and national monuments call visitors to the Cowboy State. Colorful pools, jagged peaks, otherworldly rock formations, and fossil-rich ecosystems remain untouched within state borders.

 Last week I decided to pull off the highway on my trip from New Orleans to Slidell and check out the south shore area of Lake Pontchartrain. Right before you enter the Twin Span Bridge that crosses the lake there is an opportunity to exit onto Highway 11 in an area known as Irish Bayou. The area is populated by a lot of fishing camps, most of them abandoned, and relics of old docks. The area reminded me a lot of the Salton Sea area of Southern California with its old boats and abandoned buildings. You could tell that the area was once prosperous, but decades of hurricanes and storms had left the area broken a battered. There are a few hearty souls still holding on, but once they are gone, I doubt that anyone would want to settle here.

 From Visit Tyler Celebrate Independence Day in Tyler June 27 - July 7 Enjoy a weekend filled with a variety of fun events happening in town. From fireworks to special shopping, there are plenty of patriotic events for you to experience this Fourth of July in the Rose City! Want to easily view a complete calendar of events with all the details? View our Calendar below. Be sure to tag #VisitTyler in all your photos this weekend for a chance to be featured on social media.

From https://www.discoverruidoso.com/  Explore the best of Ruidoso on your New Mexico vacation. A friendly mountain town surrounded by National Forest, Ruidoso is a place where nature and adventure beckon. Set in the Sierra Blanca mountain range of southern New Mexico, Ruidoso is remarkable in its access to nature, endless outdoor adventures , surprising art , and music scenes, and 300+ days of year-round sunshine.

 From Tennessee Tourism Discover why Nashville is Music City with our music-lovers bucket list. Below, you'll find Nashville music venues, iconic things to do in Nashville and more. Explore Music Row where many music hits have been and continue to be recorded. Brush up on your music history at Country Music Hall of Fame among thousands of music artifacts. Find these and more with this must-see list in Nashville.

From Tour Texas Family Fun in Grapevine Celebrate Grapevine’s 40th Annual Main Street Fest - A Craft Brew Experience presented by Bank of the West. It’s three days of family-friendly fun on Historic Main Street, with delicious food, drinks, and shopping experiences. Enjoy thrilling carnival rides and games and explore the KidZone featuring LEGOLAND Discovery Center and SEA LIFE Grapevine. Festivities include craft brew experiences, the all-new Cotton Belt Country Club, an interactive golf experience that features skills competitions, a members-only clubhouse, and live music on four stages, including Saturday headliner Deep Blue Something. Join the fun May 17th - 19th, 2024. Learn More

From Visit Utah Outdoor Thrills Meet Downtown Delights  Easy access between Northern Utah’s mountains and towns presents visitors and locals with the best of both worlds: outdoor adventure by day and city culture at night. In fact, flying into Salt Lake City International Airport, it’s hard not to notice just how close you are to the forested peaks. Spend the day playing outside, then transition to an evening experience in these mountain-to-metro destinations.

From Visit Albuquerque GATHERING OF NATIONS APRIL 25-27, 2024 The Gathering of Nations Powwow is the largest Native American powwow in the world. With a more than 40 year history, the event takes places every April in Albuquerque, New Mexico.