The Oregon Trail: Yes, You Can Still Go on It

Spain has the Camino. China has the Silk Road.

The United States has the Oregon Trail.

Despite the fact that this perilous trail was only used by pioneers for a short period of time (between 40-60 years), it remains prominent in the American imagination. That’s largely thanks to haunting tales like that of the Donner Party and early PC games like Oregon Trail.

In 1993, the US National Parks Service decided to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Oregon Trail by posting road signs across the country. These now mark the roads and parks where the trail’s original migrants would have passed through.

In fact, you can follow these all the way from Independence Missouri to the coasts of Oregon.

That’s right—people are still traveling the Oregon Trail. And the National Park Service is working overtime to make that easier than ever before. Here’s how you can get involved.

Pioneer vibes for the modern traveler

The National Park Service has done a stellar job of mapping out the historical Oregon Trail. This 2,000-mile trail snakes through Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Wyoming, Idaho, Utah, Oregon, and Washington.

Along the way, you can see some of the US’s most beautiful and remote landscapes. (Don’t believe the hype—the Great Plains of Kansas and Nebraska are absolutely stunning.)

Want to map out your route along the Oregon Trail? You can do so using these helpful maps from the National Park Service.

The Interactive Map lets you zero in on the parks and landmarks that you’ll want to see when road-tripping on the old Oregon Trail.
The Things To Do page connects you to sites, landmarks, and other areas that were referenced by actual Oregon Trail survivors. You can even check out wagon ruts sunken into the dirt.
The Auto Tour Route Interpretive Guide gives you even more information on how to see the most relevant sites while driving. It’s designed as a booklet that travelers can print out. (Nerd alert: these PDFs are surprisingly well done—I just wasted an hour reading through them for fun.)
The GIS Interactive Map highlights the resources that pioneer travelers would have been concerned with during their journey back in the 1800s. This is a great angle for those who like really like history.

Which Oregon trail sites are worth seeing?

There are dozens of ways to get from Missouri to Oregon. I’ll let you decide how faithful you want to be to the NPS’s guide.

Using the Interactive Map linked above, you can check out the trail sites listed below.

The easiest way to explore what’s on offer is to read through the interactive map on a state-by-state basis.

I skimmed Missouri’s list. It includes locations like the official courthouse in Independence where travelers set off from, small caves tucked away in forests where travelers rested at midday, and the Bingham-Waggoner Estate where you can see ruts from the covered wagons.

I recommend looking into what interests you the most, whether that’s modern museums that cover the Oregon Trail, National Parks where it once passed through, or historical sites. There’s truly something for everyone.

Here are the locations I would keep on my radar:

Missouri
- Barnes Enclosure and Cave Spring Interpretive Center
- Independence Courthouse Square
Kansas
- Alcove Spring Campsite
- Oregon Trail Park at Scott Springs
- Oregon Trail Park Grave Site
Nebraska
- The Archway-Pioneer Sod House
- Homestead National Historical Park
- Rock Creek Station State Historical Park
Wyoming
- Independence Rock State Historic Site
- Split Rock Interpretive Site
Idaho
- Bonneville Point
- Oregon Trail Park & Marina
- Three Island Crossing State Park
Oregon
- Pioneer Woman’s Grave & Trail
- National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center
- Birch Creek Trail Site
Washington
- Fort Vancouver National Historical Site

Spain’s Camino de Santiago: Popular Since the 9th Century

Ever heard of the Camino de Santiago?

If you have a background in travel, European history, or Catholicism, you’ve probably heard of it once or twice.

The Camino de Santiago is a thousand-year-old pilgrimage route that leads to a church in Galicia where the remains of Jesus’s Apostle James are (allegedly) buried.

The most well-known Camino de Santiago cuts through Northern Spain toward its western Galician coast. That’s where the church is located in a city called Santiago de Compostela

In reality, however, the modern ‘caminos’ are the result of medieval routes. Back in the 800s when pilgrims first set out to see the remains of Saint James, they would simply pack their bags and head off.

Over the course of centuries, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims tread impromptu trails. These are remembered today as the ‘Camino Frances’, ‘Camino Portugues’, and other specific trails that are clumped under the ‘Camino de Santiago’.

And while the Camino might sound like a long-lost relic of medieval Catholicism, it’s spiking in popularity.

Back in the summer of 2022, around 1,000 pilgrims were arriving daily to receive official certificates that they’d completed the route. That’s the highest number on record in recent years.

What’s going on with the sudden interest in the Camino? Are its travelers mostly pilgrims or are they taking the Camino for historical intrigue? Let’s explore.

Rise of the Camino

I hate to burst anyone’s religious bubble, but most of the Camino de Santiago is based on existing Roman trade routes that cut through the continent.

Catholicism also spread along these trade routes. By the 800s, most of Western Europe was staunchly under the influence of the Pope. Word began to spread that the relics of Saint James, an actual apostle of Jesus Christ, were being stored at a church in the city of Santiago de Compostela.

It didn’t take long for pilgrims to set off.

And given Europe’s rather tight focus on Catholicism throughout the Middle Ages, the Camino steadily gained notoriety.

By the 1200s, the Pope was funding hospitals, lodgings, and other resources for pilgrims who were traveling from as far as Poland and Romania.

In fact, a handful of towns along the route still contain the word ‘hospital’ because they were created around medical facilities built for pilgrims. (Looking at you, Hospital de Orbigo.)

There were even souvenir shops on the Camino—some of the very first prototypes of the modern gift shop. In fact, medieval Europeans flocked to the cathedral in such numbers that, in modern Spanish, the Milky Way is known as the Santiago de Compostela.

This came about because the galaxy was rumored to be formed by the dust kicked up by feverish pilgrims heading on the Camino.

Expanding beyond spirituality

By the time most medieval pilgrims reached the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, they were a little worse for wear. Over the decades, new paths started to pop up, offering pilgrims alternative routes.

More relaxing and safe routes, specifically.

But by the 1800s, it had fallen out of favor. Few remembered the Camino aside from those still living along the route. Not even the Catholics.

Until the mid-1900s.

In 1957, a traveler penned the book The Road to Santiago, which helped put the Camino back in the public eye. The work helped generate new interest in the Camino.

Unfortunately, so did Spain’s former dictator Francisco Franco. His far-right agenda placed a hefty emphasis on the country’s Catholic history and legacy.

By the 1980s, the Camino had taken on a reputation as a travel route just as much as a pilgrimage. Though Catholics today still head on the Camino in search of penance, modern interests are more focused on the trail’s legacy, site-seeing, and historical landmarks.

So, if you’re interested but don’t have your sacraments, you’re still more than welcome.

What can you expect?

As mentioned throughout, you’ll have choices about which ‘Camino’ to take.

The most popular is the Camino Francés, which starts in southern France, cuts through the Pyrenees, and then heads west to Galicia.

Though it’s not the oldest route, it was also the most popular during the Medieval era, as most pilgrims came from France. This route is around 500 miles long.

Another popular route is the Camino Portugués, which starts in either Lisbon or Porto. Once again, many pilgrims from the Middle Ages came from Portugal. However, there aren’t nearly as many historical sites compared to the Camino Francés.

Along the way, subsidized hostels and lodgings offer pilgrims shelter. Many monasteries along the way also provide free accommodation and meals to pilgrims.

Those who plan on doing this should purchase a ‘credencial’ or pilgrim passport, which allows you to document the journey and the landmarks you see.

It’s also necessary proof to get the Compostela—a certificate from the Catholic Church that states that you completed the pilgrimage.

Enter the Pantanal: Exploring South America’s Most Exotic Wetlands

I’m shifting slightly away from my obsession with swamps to focus on the world’s largest wetlands: South America’s Pantanal region.

It’s way vaster than Louisiana’s Bayous and Florida’s Everglades put together, stretching across Brazil, Peru, and Bolivia. In fact, the wetlands cover a distance larger than the UK.

Each year, its floodplains rise and fall between six to sixteen feet. The waters inundate the region’s plant life, creating necessary food, shelter, and nutrients for the thousands of bird, fish, and mammal species that call the Pantanal home.

You may have heard of this region thanks to the famous Pantanal Jaguar. While the wetlands have stayed off the radar for most tourists, those who venture to Brazil’s southwestern border can find wildlife that’s on par with the Amazon’s jungles and the Cerrado’s grasslands.

If you’re a diehard adventurer who is always on the hunt for another wild frontier, then the Pantanal is for you. But this region isn’t necessarily open for visitors—most reserves are closed off, while there’s little infrastructure in the region.

In other words, if you’re going to go, you need to plan far ahead. Despite the hassle, you should consider a visit to the Pantanal. But make sure to book with a tour company that protects and showcases this awesome region. Recommendations are at the bottom of the article.

Photo by Desert Morocco Adventure on Unsplash

A haven for flora & fauna

Most rugged tourists head to Pantanal in search of wildlife.

Along with the highly sought-after Pantanal Jaguar, visitors can glimpse creatures like the giant river otter (god bless, I had no idea otters came in XXL), the tapir, a funky little guy called the tamandua, plus exotic beauties like ocelots, capybaras, and giant anteaters.

Birdwatchers will have plenty to do, as well. Remember—swamps, bayous, and wetlands always attract the coolest birds.

The Pantanal is home to toucans, egrets, ibises, kingfishers, falcons, macaws, and many more. The crowned solitary eagle is particularly beautiful—but as the name suggests, they’re hard to spot.

A new path for tourists

Obviously, the Pantanal is a must-see for outdoors adventurers—but it will take a certain type of tourist to enjoy the experience.

First and foremost, this region is a veritable frontier. Dozens of grassroots organizations are working on the ground constantly to preserve the Pantanal and support those that live there.

A long list of dangers threatens this hugely important ecosystem. That includes run-off from other industries, like cattle farming and goldmining, along with poaching and smuggling of endangered species. Infrastructure development is yet another creeping and ever-present threat.

So, what does this mean for tourists hell-bent on seeing the Pantanal?

It means you need to sign up with a tour group—ideally, after doing some research to compare different companies. Uncontrolled tourism is another major threat the Pantanal faces, but tourism done correctly can actually help support locals who are fighting to protect the Pantanal.

It’s a fine line to tread.

If you’ve read my other travel pieces before, you know I’m hyper-focused on sustainability, mindfulness, and meaningful cultural exchanges. These three factors have driven my research into tour companies that offer multi-day trips into the wetlands. Now onto the fun stuff!

The best tour companies in the Pantanal

If you want to venture into the Pantanal, do so with one of the companies below. I’ve thoroughly vetted each based on reviews, reputation, their partnerships with NGOs, and deference to local indigenous groups.

(Drumroll, please!)

Oncafari actively donates to conservation causes and helps document breaking news, new projects, and ongoing work

Pantanal Nature is part of Brazil’s official tourism board, which means it must meet pretty rigorous standards. The company also works with locals and biologists to create unique tours.

If you’d prefer a more casual tour using TripAdvisor, these experiences have been highly rated by others:

Projeto Salobra Ecologia e Turismo

Pantanal Nature

How Did Czechia Become the Beer Capital of the World?

When you imagine the world’s most beer-centric country, what comes to mind?

Most people probably think about the UK, Germany, or maybe even the US and Korea.

The latter nations have had prominent beer and brewery cultures that took off in the early 1900s. Since then, distinct brands have emerged to meet local tastes, from IPAs to golden lagers. Today, the US and South Korea are home to craft breweries galore.

But neither has the type of no-holds-barred love of beer as Brits or Germans. The Brits throw back pints like they’ve been at it for hundreds of years. (They have.) And Germans are known for their multi-day, beer-centric saturnalias, from Oktoberfest to German Beer Day.

Between the UK and Germany, locals throw back billions of liters each year. The Germans alone drank an estimated 8.6 billion liters back in 2020. Clearly, the love of beer runs deep.

But what if I told you that neither country was the capital of beer drinking?

That distinction belongs to Czechia. For almost thirty years running, locals have been draining well over a hundred liters of beer throughout the year. In fact, in 2021, that number peaked at 184 liters per beer per Czech.

Want to know more about Europe’s real beer capital? Let’s hop on it. (Pun intended.) Or if you’re here just for the beer tour recommendations, jump straight to the bottom for my top selections.

Clean drinking water, excellent brews

Czechia’s love of beer (aka ‘pivo’) has been around for millennia.

Locals first started refining and trading hops around the 1100s. Some of the most influential refineries and breweries were run by monks at large-scale monasteries. (In fact, this continues today.)

At the time, almost every feudal village and town had its own brewery, responsible for providing the thralls and lords with safe drinking water… with a little extra hops.

Beer remained a staple for hundreds of years. It was practical in that it was safer to drink than water. And nobody complained about that light buzz.

By the 1700s, two of the country’s longest-running breweries had set up shop. There’s Samson Budweiser Bier, then Budweiser Budvar; the former is considered more ethnically Czech. (Neither has any connection to the US’s Budweiser.)

Over the years, Czechs have contributed greatly to the evolution of beer, including crafting the very first pilsners, along with variations of dark and pale lager.

Beer capital culture

Beer is big business in Czechia—not just in terms of cold hard cash, but also culture, tourism, and entertainment. Many towns and cities have worked hard to maintain their beer legacies, including Prague, Žatec, and Plzeň.

Even the Czech government is involved.

First, through the publicly funded Research Institute of Brewing and Malting. It’s been active since 1887 and is one of the first research institutes ever founded in Europe. Second, there’s the Malting Institute located in Brno, which also dates back to the late 1800s.

The goal of these organizations is to maintain the quality of beer throughout Czechia, along with fostering innovation for newer varieties. They also provide a framework for beer production and exportation, which is an important factor on the business end of beer.

Beer in Czechia: by the book

Officially, beer in Czechia is classified based on strength using a ‘degree’ system. (The higher the degree, the drunker you’ll get.)

These are the four main classifications:

Light beer (lehké) 8°
Draught beer (výčepní) 10°
Lager beer (ležak) 11-12.99°
Special beer (special) 13°

These are the most popular beers in Czechia. (If you see them, drink them—kind of like catching Pokémon, except beer.)

Pilsner Urquell
Svijany
Kozel
Bernard
Staropramen

Drink your heart out in Czechia

You won’t be short on places to drink beer in Prague.

Actually, it might be hard to find a place that doesn’t serve up delicious beer alongside popular foods. But if you really want to go into the nitty-gritty of beer culture in Prague, I suggest either going on a beer tour or heading to a beer festival.

Here are some of the best beer festivals from around the country:

Slunce ve Skle Beer Festival (Pilsen, Czechia)
Český Krumlov Baroque Arts Festival (Český Krumlov)
Czech/Prague Beer Festival (Prague) (This event was cancelled back in 2021, but there’s been major efforts to relaunch it—so check back in later this year to see if organizers manage to get this festival back off the ground)

Or, if you’ll be staying in Prague, look into these top-rated beer tours of the city. Many are bundled with other themes, like history and food.

Pubs of Prague Historic Tour (has a nice historical element, which I enjoy)

Prague Foodie Tour (includes plenty of beer, have no fear)

Hidden Beer Gems of Old Prague

Private Boat Cruise – Beer or Prosecco (resist the Prosecco!)

Anti Tour Prague – Self-guided Beer Tour

Beer and Cheese Tasting

Pilsner Tasting Experience (Pilsner Urquell)

Luggage Wrapping: To Wrap or Not To Wrap?

I remember the first time I saw someone wrap their luggage in plastic at the airport.

I had a few pressing questions. What purpose does that serve? How long has this been happening? And—for the love of god—how long does it take to cut through all that tightly wrapped plastic?

The answers are pretty straightforward.

Plastic wrap is usually about security. It’s designed to keep the luggage safe, along with what’s inside. It’s been going on for around twenty years. And, apparently, it doesn’t take too long to undo as long as you’re handy with a sharp implement.

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

I’ve asked many of the hard-hitting questions about plastic-wrapping luggage. Here’s everything I’ve uncovered, including why you should wrap your luggage, why you might not need to, and other ways that you can keep your luggage secure.

Why you should consider luggage wrapping

These are the main reasons to wrap your luggage:

Your bag has a non-traditional shape and/or many straps. If you’re luggage has a lot of moving parts, then plastic wrap can prevent damage during handling. This is particularly relevant for backpackers, as they usually have straps, belts, pockets, and other dangling parts. Plastic wrap helps you ensure nothing gets caught, snagged, or torn.
Your bag might get wet. Every airport is different—and not all are designed to handle inclement weather. If you’re heading to a very rainy destination and are worried about the contents of your bag getting soaked, then plastic wrap can protect your goods from the elements. Usually, this is a consideration when you’re traveling to/from a small regional airport that doesn’t have as much cover for luggage transport.
Slight security benefits. The main reason most travelers plastic-wrap their luggage is to prevent any sneaky fingers from rummaging around inside. But plastic wrap is a very loose solution to this problem. Those who want to get into your luggage are going to find a way around that plastic wrap, plain and simple. So if it gives you peace of mind to wrap your luggage in plastic, then go for it—but a simple lock works better in securing your goods.

Why you might not need to wrap your luggage

These are the main reasons wrapping luggage isn’t absolutely necessary:

It won’t change anything for the TSA. The TSA will not treat your bag any differently whether it’s wrapped in plastic or not. If they want to get inside the bag, they’ll cut through the plastic easily. From a security perspective, it also doesn’t change what the X-ray shows them is inside your luggage.
It’s a hassle to unwrap. As mentioned above, if someone really wants to get past that plastic wrap—they will. Still, it’s going to take a very sharp blade and a good amount of patience to cut through it. Some people have had to bust out hair dryers and Velcro to help loosen the plastic wrap around their luggage.
A TSA-approved lock provides the same degree of safety. A small TSA-approved luggage lock does a better job of protecting your luggage against thieves than plastic wrap. Although I guess there’s no teeny-tiny key to lose with plastic wrap.

Other luggage safety tips

There are dozens of luggage safety tips that can help you avoid plastic-wrapping in the first place. Here are the most actionable tips:

Invest in a quality piece of luggage that suits your needs. The stronger and more flexible your luggage is, the easier it is to manage—for you, for security, for luggage handlers. The better you know (and trust) your luggage, the less uncertainty you’ll face when the plastic wrappers descend.
Look for luggage that has other features, like charging banks. It’s worth mentioning here that some pieces of luggage are really advanced. Not only do they come with built-in locks (and alarms, in some cases), but they might also include charging banks, specialized shoe storage, and even geo-locators.
Add a luggage tracker. If you don’t have access to a cutting-edge piece of luggage with a built-in geo-locator, don’t fret. You aren’t alone. But if you’re someone who worries about losing luggage, then consider installing a tracker. Use one of Samsung or Apple’s products, like the AirTag.
Carry spare zip-ties for disaster. Zip-ties come in handy far more often than they should. I’ve jerry-rigged a few busted pieces of luggage with zip-ties in my day. They didn’t save my luggage—but they did get me through to my next destination where I could buy a good replacement.

Wooden Barrels, Geishas, & Gangsters: 3 US Tourism Trends from the Early 1900s

I’ve written extensively about tourism trends.

At the moment, a few of the world’s most-visited locations include Portugal, Dubai, and Bali. Travelers from around the world flock to them by the millions each year.

Every hotspot has its own approach to tourism. Usually, it involves improving infrastructure, showcasing culture and/or nature, and delighting visitors with unique spectacles. (It might even involve keeping hordes at bay to prevent over-tourism.)

But has tourism always looked like this?

For centuries, daring adventurers have set off into the horizon with a bag slung over their shoulders. No one knew if they’d return. They might not even be able to point out on a map where their loved ones were heading, precisely.

But all were on the hunt for something exciting—something powerful enough to change their life.

Today, That search for something more remains an important part of the overall travel experience. While most vacations involve a lot more entertainment and relaxation than once upon a time, the core drive to travel remains unchanged.

But what, exactly, were tourists up to back in the day? Would we really recognize what motivated them to hit the road and explore? Let’s jump back to the early 1900s to find out.

Here are three trends in US tourism from the turn of the last century.

Niagara Falls, New York

Admiring the falls… from the inside of a barrel

In 1901, a 63-year-old schoolteacher named Annie Edson Taylor decided that admiring Niagara Falls wasn’t enough.

She had another idea: she was going to build a really tough wooden barrel just large enough for her to fit in. And then she was going to stuff herself inside, lock the wooden latch, and ride that son of a gun down Niagara Falls.

To be reasonable, Taylor sent her beloved cat down the falls in the barrel first. The cat survived, which she took as a green flag.

Shortly after, Taylor performed her wooden barrel stunt for a massive crowd. She hobbled away largely unharmed, then went on to pose for photographs along with her daredevil cat.

Taylor’s really daring (and perhaps clinically insane) stunt attracted the attention of others. Soon, it became a bit of a fad for fearless tourists to maneuver down the falls in unique and horrifying ways.

Some, like Jean Lussier, even managed to survive the fall inside a massive rubber ball. In the summertime, the area would see hundreds of thousands of visitors, most of whom were just after views. By 1951, it was declared illegal to go over the falls in any form.

Atlantic City, New Jersey

Summertime vacations & street fairs

Fans of Boardwalk Empire need no introduction.

Long before Las Vegas popped up in the desert, the US’s preferred summer resort destination was New Jersey’s Atlantic City.

Its original boardwalk was constructed in 1870, ushering in a new era of Americana summer vacation.

After the boardwalk’s completion, AC turned into a booming summer destination for families. Part carnival, part beach resort, part summer dream, it attracted revelers from across New England.

Soon, its hotels were massive, home to hundreds of rooms that would fill up for months from May to August.

And despite the focus on summertime and sweet treats, AC had a bit of a criminal underbelly. (To put it lightly.)

Much of the city’s construction was funded by organized crime syndicates. These were subject to major investigations from the federal government and involved gangsters as big as Al Capone and Charlie Luciano.

But the millions who passed through the sandy shores of Atlantic City were probably focused on cutting-edge treats like ice cream, rudimentary roller coasters, and summer flings. In other words, AC was the total American dream.

St. Louis World’s Fair, Missouri

An international who’s-who of cultural influence

St. Louis might have a so-so reputation in the US today, but once upon a time, it was one of the most populated and innovative cities in the country.

To celebrate the centennial of the Louisiana Purchase, the federal government and the City of St. Louis won a bid to host the World’s Fair.

For six months in 1904, the city turned into a non-stop street fair that hosted almost 20 million domestic and international visitors. Performers and exhibitionists from over 60 countries flocked to St. Louis to display their latest technology, most beloved traditions, and share untold new delights.

As a Global Studies major and a St. Louis native, I’m itching to point out the lesser-known and more nefarious legacies of the St. Louis World Fair.

(Ever heard of a man named Ota Benga? Or St. Louis’s tradition of the Veiled Prophet? Y’all… it’s pretty dark.)

If you like, you can follow the little breadcrumbs I’ve left. If not, then let’s round off this article with some of the least controversial coups from the World Fair.

It popularized treats like ice cream cones and Dr. Pepper. It put Scott Joplin on the map and helped pave the way for rag-time music. The fair even had an entire exhibit dedicated to geishas, who had traveled all the way from Japan to showcase their refined traditions.