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Hello all!
The thermometer is burning up here in D.C., and frankly all across the country. I’ll be heading north to New England later this week to escape the heat, and spend as much time in the water as I can!
We lead off with our latest post for our series on underrated destinations, It’s Still a Big World. It’s also by me! I went to St. Louis a few weeks ago and was blown away by how much there was to see, do, and eat in this midwestern city. We’d always skip it in the past when we’d drive across the country to Colorado, but rest assured I will not make that same mistake again.
We also have two history-related travel pieces—and I know how much you folks love history-oriented travel. The first is about the sad origins of the Appalachian Trail. A brilliant idea we all benefit from today, it was borne out of a grief-filled misfortune. The second is actually just a few miles from the trail in the Shenandoah Valley. It’s our latest for our series on the World’s Most Beautiful Libraries and it’s one heck of a tale for how this opulent building got into this country town. Enjoy!
Enjoy,
Scouting Report: Not only is this chair lightweight and easily to assemble, but it folds up to the size of a water bottle in just five seconds.
Instead of lugging around a hefty beach chair over my shoulder, I can carry this thing in my backpack or tote with ease. To expand it, you just flip the legs open, pop them into place, and suddenly, there’s a chair that can support up to 300 pounds. It’s just as easy to put away, too. All you have to do is press a button on the bottom, pull the legs in, and secure the velcro strap around everything. It’s basically magic.
And as far as chairs go, it’s stable and comfortable. I’ve tried rocking it, jumping up and down in it, and kicking my feet up and it didn’t fall or bend back into it’s smaller shape once. While I do wish it had a cupholder on at least one side, I can live without it—especially since it makes getting to and from the park with a chair easier than I ever thought was possible.
— Scouted by Daniel Modlin OMG I Want to Rent This House!
The Azure Villa, Turks and Caicos (Vrbo): The Bahamas are back in business, baby! Well, back for all those who are vaccinated or those who can flash a negative COVID test at the proverbial door. This is great news for our hankering to travel, which has also returned with a vengeance. And what do our poor, tired souls crave? White beaches, palm trees, and sparkling blue water as far as the eye can see.
The Azure Villa is located in a private enclave that, of course, has a private beach only accessible to the community’s residents. When you’re ready for a salt-water frolic, take the gratis snorkel gear out for a spin and check out the barrier reef just off the beach.
All vacations must end, so we’re told. But we won’t judge if you take a lesson from the pandemic and extend your time in Turks and Caicos to a full year. Where’s the line between holiday and residency? Who cares!
Book Your Stay: The Azure Villa, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos $2,000/night via Vrbo
OMG, I Want to Rent This House spotlights the most spectacular and unique homes that you can actually stay in. Check out the full archives.
The Mysterious Man Behind the World's Most Famous House 
Rare is the person whose work is one of the most mentioned in the world and yet most would finding naming them difficult. But such is the situation with James Hoban, the architect who designed and oversaw the construction of the White House. Only a silhouette exists of his likeness and his papers burned after he died. But a new book from the White House Historical Association, James Hoban: Designer & Builder of the White House seeks to shed some light on this elusive figure.
The bookÆs first half is a collection of essays from scholars examining the man who through one work alone would shape American visual identity. There are ones (among others) that cover his religion, ownership of slaves, his collaboration with George Washington, and his life growing up in Ireland.
Check out our previous selections for our series on gorgeous travel-related coffee table books, Just Booked.
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