Travel to Learn LGBTQ+ History

Sometimes it's easier to learn about yourself and certain history when you travel. Something about being away from home and only focusing on one thing can help you absorb more information and make it make a bigger impact. If you've been wanting to delve into LGBTQ+ history, then there are so many ways and places to do so, including the ones below:

Remember when I said the National Parks Service was preserving and teaching others about Black history? Well, they are doing the same with LGBTQ+ history and culture in places where queer Americans made their stories, because the outdoors belong to everybody and every body all year long. Not just in June or February. I love these updated campaigns from the NPS, showing that all history is important history and the outdoors are always inclusive.

Even in states where one might think queer history may be suppressed, one can find some deep culture. For instance, Café Lafitte In Exile in New Orleans is one of the oldest continuously-operated gay bars in the United States. Though it has moved in the past, it has been open since the 30s, where it started in a pirate's blacksmith shop.

Don't pass up places in solid blue states either, or you'll miss amazing gems like Darcelle XV Showplace here in Portland, Oregon. It's one of the oldest drag venues in the US and has been added to the National Historic Registers, the first LGBT venue to gain that status in the state. Darcelle XV was the oldest working drag queen in the biz, before she died this year. Also known as Walter Cole when not in drag, Darcelle had such a profound impact on the community, both queer and cis/hetero, that the whole city basically ground to a halt to celebrate her life and death. 

Want to support the LGBTQ+ community in your state/city or those you're traveling to? Help preserve stories and make things markedly better for them in the present, so others can learn more wonderful stories and less depressing ones in the future, here's a list of grassroots organizations you can get behind and assist. 

Need a book for your next trip to the beach, road trip, or long flight? Delve into some of the stories about queers who helped further the movement for those that came after. Here are 5 books on queer history that we are lucky to have, because for every story that we get, there are countless stories that were lost because it was too dangerous for them to get written down. If you need a bigger list, check out the picks from Powell's Books.

I hope you're all having a great start to the summer. Share some of your favorite queer-friendly places to visit in your city or to travel in the comments.

How To Stay Comfortable And Refreshed On Long Road Trips

Road trips are fun ways to explore the world around you and provide more scenic and cultural experiences than being stuck in a plane at 37,000 feet for several hours.

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The only downside to road trips is that they can become uncomfortable - especially if you do all the driving. That's why ensuring your journeys are as comfortable and refreshing as possible makes perfect sense. But what are the best ways to do that?

Take a look at these practical tips and tricks to maximize the fun you experience on your road trips:

Reduce Stress Before You Drive

Firstly, you should clear your mind of any stress or anxiety before you get behind the wheel. Otherwise, you'll feel very anxious and could even increase the chances of an accident while you drive.

Many stress relief techniques exist, so finding some that work for you makes sense. For example, chewing on some CBD gummies, listening to classical music, or meditating for half an hour could help you feel relaxed before you drive.

Make Your Seating Position Comfortable

Did you know that an incorrect seating position can cause many problems for drivers in their vehicles? If you share your car with someone else, ensure you find the perfect seating position before driving anywhere.

That might mean moving the seat forward or backward or adjusting its height. If your seat isn't particularly comfortable at the best of times, consider adding some support cushions or pillows to help you achieve the perfect posture.

Consider reupholstering your car seats - especially if the lumbar and bolster support is virtually non-existent due to damaged foam inside them.

Have Plenty Of Cold Water

Making regular rest stops is another excellent tip because it allows you and your passengers to stretch their legs or use the bathroom, for instance.

However, another important tip is to ensure you're always hydrated while driving - especially on hot days. Dehydration can cause many problems, such as feeling lightheaded, tired, and experiencing headaches.

Water bottles will likely become warm or even too hot to drink, so consider storing them in a cooler box containing ice cube packs, and you can enjoy a refreshing cold drink whenever you pull over.

Wear Comfortable Clothing

Road trips are seldom short journeys, so you should dress appropriately for sitting in the car for long periods. For example, wearing light-colored garments made of cotton is ideal for helping your skin to breathe and stay cool during hot weather.

What you shouldn't do is wear clothing that restricts your movement in your car or makes it uncomfortable to use your hands and feet to control your vehicle.

Ensure All Passengers Are Occupied

Last but not least, if your road trip includes passengers like family members or friends, an essential thing to do is ensure they've got plenty to do to keep them occupied on each leg of your journey.

Bored passengers can distract drivers, making them anxious or even grumpy. Consider giving them travel games to play or devices like tablets for entertainment during your road trip.

Don't forget to bring things that will make your trip a bit easier and more fun. With the appropriate amount of prep, you can make any length road trip a success.

Making Your Trips More Eco-Friendly

The more I see the weather swinging wildly throughout the year, the more I worry about global warming and think about that one episode of The Twilight Zone way too much. I know the things I do won't contribute greatly to making that change, but I still try and encourage others to. While travel doesn't always feel like it's great for the environment, especially when you're getting to your destination on a a huge plane that burns a ton of fuel, there are many things you can do to offset your travel carbon footprint. 

Pack Light

The less "cargo" that a plane carries, the less fuel it has to use. It might be negligible in relation to the weight of the plane itself, but every little bit helps, plus you'll feel like a rock star for being able to go straight from the plane to your hotel, because you don't have to wait at the baggage carousel like all those other suckers. Boom! You saved time and you saved money. If you need ideas on how to pack strategically, check out this post.

Bring a reusable water bottle

Stay hydrated, while also being environmentally conscious and not buying a bunch of bottled waters on your trips. I have a favorite. I will fill it half with ice and the other half with water at the beginning of the day and my water stays cold all day long and I usually even have ice long after my bottle is empty and I need to refill it. It's great, because it also saves you money too. I also have a second favorite that collapses and is great for all day walking. 

Skip the straw

So many places now are banning plastic straws, because they aren't recyclable and mostly just end up in the ocean, aspiring to become a part of that plastic island. If you travel  internationally, you'll notice that you don't even get offered a straw in many places. If you must have a straw, travel with a reusable one. I have several stainless steel and copper straws that I put in my purse to use when I'm out. 

Bring your own utensils

With the same idea about straws, I generally travel with a set of bamboo utensils or the above utensils that are forks and spoons in one without being a dreaded spork. Why? Because I love eating at food trucks, but I hate plastic utensils...and there's never anyplace to recycle them (if they even are recyclable). There's also the fact that sometimes those plastic forks and knives are just not sturdy enough for the food you're eating. Have you ever had a fork just snap in half while trying to eat something heartier? Well, bamboo forks will never do that, plus, you can wash them and reuse them without worrying about BPA and degradation. 

If you don't care if you have a whole range of utensils, then check out these awesome travel utensils from Humangear. They're made for camping, but no one's going to bat an eye if you whip these out at the food trucks, especially in Portland.

Shop at farmers’ markets

Support local farmers, butchers, florists and artisans by shopping at open-air markets. Not only will you be putting money back into a community to help it thrive, you’re also keeping small businesses alive. By purchasing fresh ingredients that you can eat right away or do a little preparation with back at your lodging, you’re saving money over a traditional sit-down meal.

Eat at food carts 

Another way to save on meals is to eat at food carts. They are the ultimate in budget dining, because they are basically a mobile kitchen. With their low overhead, (no seating, waiters, busboys, etc.) those savings are passed on to you. You also get to try local cuisine for less, and normally where there is one food cart, there are many. If your kids are picky, there is bound to be something they find appetizing within reasonable walking distance from your current cart.

Find sustainable restaurants

While not always budget-friendly, I try to look for restaurants who use local and seasonal foods. This means that your food doesn't have to travel far to get to you, plus you're getting the freshest dishes possible, so it's a win-win. There are lots of sustainable restaurants that pass their savings on to you, so not only are you getting awesome food, but you aren't paying more for it either. Locally-sourced food is a great way to really feel your destination as well.

Ebooks and apps

Guidebooks are awesome, but not only do they take up room in your luggage, what do you do with them when your vacation is over? Probably you recycle them, but what if you didn’t have to? You can pretty much get any book you want in digital format for your e-reader or smartphone. You can even “bookmark” important pages you know you’ll need. And there are many apps that can give you directions, city tours, maps and even help you find attractions nearby. Many are even free! Going paperless can really make you feel lighter on your trips and allow you to feel better about all the information you’re toting around.

Walk or take public transportation

Many travelers rely on renting cars or taking cabs when on vacation, but that’s not always economical. In most big cities, taxis are really expensive and just a few trips could add up to hundreds of dollars. Why waste all that money (and gas!) when you can just as easily walk to your desired destinations or take public transportation? If either of these options are feasible, then take the time to slow down and smell the roses. 

You never know what you’re missing until you get out and see things from the point of view of a local. You’ll get some fresh air, exercise and even find a hidden shop or café that you can come back to. This is also a great time to let your kids take the reins and learn to navigate the subway map or figure out the best walking route from your hotel to wherever it is you planned on going. And if you tend to get swollen ankles from tons of walking, then get yourself a pair of good compression socks for sightseeing or to wear when you get back to your room.

Stay in an eco-lodge

If you’re looking for alternative accommodations from your typical hotel, consider staying in an eco-lodge. They come in many different types, but strive to do their best to impact the environment as little as possible, with low-flow toilets, use of sustainable materials, farm-to-table programs and more. You will find that many are a lot more luxurious than expected and even more affordable. Be careful, though, as some offer electricity, while others do not. If lights after sundown are important to you, then make sure you confirm that it is included before you book.

Stay in an Airbnb

While this isn't necessarily eco-friendly all on its own, it comes with benefits built-in that you don't think about: there's no housekeeping, so unless you're washing all your linens and towels everyday, you're saving water. You can also opt to put your Do Not Disturb sign on your door instead, so you skip cleaning days that are unnecessary when you're staying in a hotel. Reuse things, save them from having to replace your half-used soap or shampoo. In the meantime, turn off as many lights as you can while you're in the room, and all of them when you leave for the day. These things still help in the long run.

Recycle

Not all places have recycling receptacles, which is disheartening, but I always have a second garbage bag that I use strictly for my recyclables and then I ask where I can take that at the end of my stay. I've been known to break things down and pack them home if I can't find a proper place to dispose of them. I'm not willing to toss things in the garbage unless there's absolutely no other choice. If you cruise, I have been told that everything goes into garbage cans and then there are crew members who sort out garbage from recycling. 

As a budget traveler that tries to do my part for the environment as much as possible, I’m always looking for new ways to save on my whole vacation. By just making the effort to get out and see your destination from a new perspective, you find different ways to experience your trips and change up your travel style a bit to make it more affordable and green at the same time. 

How do you travel green?


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