Words That Play

Though the street signs at the centers of U.S. towns may not all read Main , the moniker evokes a collective impression in American society—a certain nostalgia that harkens back to a simpler life, a sense of belonging, a safe place to go. Bucolic Kent County , Maryland’s smallest, delivers this sensibility on nearly every street you travel. Perhaps it’s due to geography. Practically an island, with roughly 93% of its borders defined by the Chesapeake Bay and the Sassafras and Chester rivers, the county is naturally preserved from the hustle of nearby Baltimore, Washington and Philadelphia. Or, might it be in the air? Breathe the salty spray along the bay, the earthy aroma of winding rivers or the pastoral perfume of nearby fruit and vegetable farms, and your body immediately downshifts to a pace that befits a Main Street stroll. In 1998, the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development created the Main Street Maryland Program with a vision to restore and revitali...

The beauty and vibrancy of Sedona has inspired artistic expression for an estimated 5,000 years—from petroglyphs and pictographs in the cave dwellings of its earliest inhabitants to traditional and emerging mediums in the galleries, museums and studios of today’s artists and craftspeople. Whatever style grabs you, you’ll have no trouble finding it in Sedona. In fact, art in Sedona is so prolific you may become overwhelmed by all the choices, but this guide to approaching Sedona’s artworld will help you discover and take home that perfect piece. First, walk off the intimidation. Put on some comfortable shoes and get a sense of what’s out there using Sedona Art Walk Maps . These interactive and downloadable maps detail where to find the more than 80 galleries in West Sedona, Uptown Sedona and Gallery Row—identifying walkable clusters of galleries and not-to-be-missed outliers. Public transportation stops are plotted as well as history placards to make your journey both easy and e...

Stressed from the chaos of the big city; bored by the business of everyday life; worn out with the complexities of modern living? Retreat to Bulow RV Resort where the simplicity of camping out (or the relaxation of glamping in) will give you room to breathe, fun things to do and a return to what matters. Here’s how: 1. Location, Location, Location Nestled alongside a historic state park and a creek, Bulow RV Resort is your basecamp to the beautiful Palm Coast and Flagler Beaches playground—five quaint communities with 19 miles of sandy beaches and access to the Intercoastal Waterway. Literally minutes after exiting Interstate 95 between St. Augustine and Daytona Beach, you’ll be parked, unpacked and ready to play on their well-appointed and perfectly located property. When you’re ready to explore beyond the resort, the area offers endless options. Step back nearly two hundred years at the neighboring Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park . Roam what remains of the Bu...

“The first river you paddle runs through the rest of your life. It bubbles up in pools and eddies to remind you who you are.” ~ Lynn Culbreath Noel When seen from above, waterways resemble Mother Earth’s arteries, delivering sustenance throughout the land. Look at a map of Kent County, Maryland and you’ll immediately see the plethora of arterial canals that feed this vibrant area. From freshwater rivers and streams to saltwater inlets and bays, paddling enthusiasts know these channels deliver many gifts to those who go with the flow. Two hundred years before Lewis and Clark made their westward expedition, John Smith charted the waters around the Chesapeake Bay, mapping an estimated 3,000 miles, known today as the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail—an all-water trail system within the National Park Service. Discover two of those trails, the Chester River and Sassafras River water trails, in Kent County: Sassafras River Water Trail This 20-plus mil...

More energy. Less stress. Find this and more when you step into the great outdoors of San Angelo , Texas. Studies prove that being outside benefits both the body and mind. Unfortunately, some cities aren’t designed to get you outdoors, but San Angelo is. With sunny skies year-round, easy accessibility and award-winning urban design, it’s not surprising. Being outdoors boosts energy and mental focus. The American Planning Association added the  Concho River Walk  to the list of Great Places in America in 2017. This soon-to-be-expanded, 4-mile public walkway along the Concho River makes it easy to spend the day outside. Whether it’s fishing in the river, strolling the manicured pathways or relaxing on a park bench, feel the stress and tension melt away as you breathe the fresh air and soak up the warm sun. Take advantage of your outdoor energy boost at  The Bosque , one of the many attractions along the Concho River Walk. Rent paddleboats, keep score with mini...

Tucson’s urban vibe and unique locations inspire Randy Houser again for “We Went” video.  When Randy Houser returned to Tucson for the making of his “We Went” music video, he turned to Arizona-resident Dustin Rikert (Ambush at Dark Canyon, Born Wild) to get the job done. Rikert, who also directed Houser’s “ Like a Cowboy ” music video (which plays like a short film), knows that country songs are the right stuff for cinematic storytelling. The lyrical narratives of country songs often spin yarns about the lives of ordinary folk who just can’t help but attract trouble—these notions easily translate to the screen. A script was born. The inspiration: Tucson This time, Houser told Rikert that he didn’t want to do the Old West thing. For “We Went,” an up-tempo, rebel-rousin’ song, Rikert wanted settings with historical relevance to render his vision of a gritty, fast-paced, modern-day Robin Hood tale. In the video, Houser and his sexy cohort (Caitlin Leahy), known as the Good ...