July 2025
July is here, marking the peak of the summer travel season, a great time to hit the road or take to the skies. Whether you're traveling soon or still planning your next getaway, this month’s newsletter is filled with helpful TSA tips, travel stories, and highlights of exciting destinations to inspire your adventures. Let’s make the most of this season!
📷 Credit: David Clode on Upsplash - Kenya
🌍 July's Bucket List Destination: Maasai Mara, Kenya
July is one of the best times to visit Kenya's Maasai Mara, as it marks the peak of the Great Migration. During this time, millions of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles make dramatic river crossings in search of fresh grazing lands. This unforgettable wildlife spectacle offers some of the best game viewing in Africa. With the dry season underway, animals tend to gather near water sources, making it easier to spot the Big Five.
In addition to the safari experience, travelers can engage with the rich culture of the Maasai people. If witnessing one of nature's greatest shows is on your bucket list, July is the perfect time to go.
Looking for a guided way to experience it all? The Kenya Wildlife Safari from African Travel is a small-group journey through Nairobi, Samburu, Lake Nakuru, and the Maasai Mara, featuring expert-led game drives and up-close encounters with rare and endangered wildlife.
📷 Credit: Melissa De Yoe on Upsplash - Pisgah National Forest
🤫 10 Hidden Gems in the Carolinas (Only Locals Know!)
The Carolinas are full of surprises, beyond the popular beaches and mountain towns; some incredible local secrets are waiting to be explored. If you're looking for something unique for your next getaway, here are 10 off-the-radar experiences that locals love:
Pretty Place Chapel (SC) – Catch a sunrise at this open-air mountaintop chapel. Peaceful and unforgettable.
Blackwater Paddling (NC/SC) – Kayak through ancient cypress swamps in Congaree National Park or the Waccamaw River.
Carrigan Farms Quarry (NC) – A clear-water swimming hole perfect for hot summer days. Reservation required!
Morris Island Shark Teeth Hunt (SC) – Boat or kayak to this uninhabited beach near Folly for fossils and solitude.
Asheville’s South Slope Brewery Walk (NC) – Sample small-batch brews and rooftop patios with mountain views.
Botany Bay’s Boneyard Beach (SC) – A driftwood-strewn beach that feels like a nature art installation.
Cheese & Thank You Truck (SC) – Find it in Travelers Rest and try their amazing grilled cheese!
Panthertown Valley Waterfalls (NC) – Hidden falls and quiet trails near Cashiers. Like Yosemite, but secret.
Frogmore Stew at a Local Cookout (SC) – A true Lowcountry tradition. Ask around in Bluffton or Beaufort.
Historic Ghost Tours (NC) – Try Wilmington or Beaufort for eerie stories and local legends under the moonlight.
Try this “Guided Congaree National Park Kayak Tour” through the ancient cypress swamps. Peaceful, beginner-friendly, and bookable through me on Viator.
📷 Credit: Eric Odiin on Upsplash
✈️ Travel Tip of the Month: TSA Security Made Simple
Whether you're a seasoned traveler or heading to the airport for the first time in a while, these TSA tips will help make the screening process smoother and faster:
✅ Before You Go
Know What You Can Bring: Not sure about an item? Ask TSA directly by messaging them on Facebook with a photo, description, or Amazon link: AskTSA
Check Wait Times: Use the MyTSA App or tsawaittimes.com to plan ahead. If wait times are over an hour, adjust your schedule accordingly.
Print Your Boarding Pass: Always have a backup in case your phone runs out of battery or you lose Wi-Fi.
Start With an Empty Bag: Double-check all pockets and compartments before packing.
🧳 Packing Tips
Liquids: Follow the 3-1-1 rule — 3.4 oz containers, 1 quart-sized clear bag, 1 bag per traveler. If you can drink it, pour it, spray it, or spread it, it needs to follow this rule. Be ready to take it out for screening. TSA Liquid Rules
Medications: Liquid medications can exceed 3.4 oz but must be packed separately and declared as such. Keep pill-form meds in a pouch or baggie in your carry-on. More info TSA Medical Info
Electronics: Anything larger than a phone (laptops, tablets) must come out of your bag. Keep them accessible. Chargers with lithium batteries must stay in your carry-on.
Packing Cubes: They help keep your bag organized in case it gets searched and keep personal items (like underwear) more discreet.
👚 Dressing for Security
Wear Easy Shoes: Slip-ons are the fastest. If you plan to wear sandals, bring socks to avoid walking barefoot.
Choose Travel-Friendly Clothing: Avoid sparkly or metallic clothes. You'll need to remove jackets and bulky layers.
Minimize Accessories: Belts, large jewelry, and metal items increase the chance of extra screening. Store them in your personal item until after security.
✈️ At the Security Checkpoint
Have Your ID & Boarding Pass Ready.
Empty Your Pockets: Place all small items, such as your wallet, keys, and phone, in your personal item.
Bin Order Matters:
First bin: loose items, electronics, liquids, jackets
Second bin: personal item (backpack/purse)
Third bin: carry-on suitcase
Move Away from the Belt After Screening: Repack at a nearby bench to avoid holding up the line.
❤️ Extra Help & Final Reminders
TSA Cares: For travelers with Alzheimer's, autism, PTSD, sensory sensitivities, or anyone needing extra time, TSA offers assistance. TSA Cares Info
Consider TSA PreCheck: Skip the lines and keep shoes, belts, and laptops in your bag. Apply here
Stay Calm & Be Kind: Mistakes happen—it's okay. Don't joke with officers; stay patient, and know that a bit of kindness goes a long way.
✅ Two of My Many Travel Partner Certifications
Viking Certified Expert
As a Viking Certified Expert, I can help you plan the perfect cruise—whether it’s a European or exotic river cruise, a small-ship ocean voyage, a Mississippi River sailing, or an expedition adventure. Viking includes shore excursions in every port, Wi-Fi, taxes and fees, and wine and beer with lunch and dinner. Let’s plan your next unforgettable journey!
Hawai‘i Destination Specialist
As a Hawai‘i Destination Specialist, I have in-depth knowledge of the six unique Hawaiian Islands—Kaua‘i, O‘ahu, Moloka‘i, Lāna‘i, Maui, and Hawai‘i Island (The Big Island). This certification means I can help you choose the island that best fits your travel style and interests, whether you're looking for adventure, relaxation, culture, or a bit of everything. Let me help you plan a truly personalized Hawaiian getaway!
🧳 From Travel Fails to Travel Tales
The Best Travel Stories Start with “Remember That Time…?”
This month’s travel tale comes from my friend Mike, and it’s a great reminder that sometimes the best moments happen when plans go sideways.
Mike’s Story:
In 1995, Mike and his wife visited family in La Souterraine, a small town in central France. Eager to explore on their own, they set out for the well-known city of Avignon. However, instead of charming streets and easy sightseeing, they faced traffic gridlock, large crowds, and spent an exhausting hour and a half searching for parking.
Feeling overwhelmed by the chaos, they decided to abandon their itinerary. When they spotted an intriguing building rising above the trees, they said, “Let’s go that way!” This spontaneous detour took them to the walled city of Aigues-Mortes, a coastal treasure rich in Roman history. As they traveled, they picked up bread, cheese, meat, and wine from small markets along the way, ultimately enjoying lunch atop an ancient Roman aqueduct, surrounded by fields of sunflowers.
The remainder of their trip included quiet villages, the serene beauty of Villandry’s gardens, and winding roads that led to truly local and authentic experiences. What began as stressful turned into one of their most memorable and meaningful adventures.
Next time you find yourself in a crowd or feeling uninspired by a "must-see" attraction, remember: some of the best travel stories emerge when you choose the road less traveled.
📷 Credit: AXP Photography on Upsplash - Villandry Chateau and Gardens, France
Thank you for reading!
Erin
