Creating a memoir is a complex task, and writing a book in general isn't for everyone. Angie Orth shares the struggles and successes of writing her own novel-style memoir and working with a major publishing house to do it. She shares the truth of it and advice for others to be successful in their own writing ventures. Writing a book is a major undertaking (I've done it twice and have more in the works) and it's also a life dream for many. Angie Orth, our good friend and fellow traveler has completed her first major published work: Flirting with Disaster - True Travel Tales of Fear, Failure and Faith. From the creative process to finding a publisher, Angie shares her journey of sharing her first memoir. Get Flirting with Disaster here! So what does it take to go from having a life story to having a published hard-back book on the shelves? The path is different for every author, and indeed for every book. In this podcast episode, Angie and I discuss her road blocks in the creative process and why she used a literary agent. We dig into getting over one's own ego in writing and allowing yourself to be vulnerable, to crafting a narrative that other's can follow to conquering writing style. Flirting with Disaster is sure to speak to so many readers. Angie has also been on 2TravelDads Podcast discussing the Bahamas. As a travel professional who's been in the business for years, she has stories of all sorts... and that makes for great books!

When I was first asked to visit Pensacola, Florida I didn't know what to expect. Being very close to the FL/AL border and very near some towns that aren't known for being very welcoming/inclusive to LGBTQ people, I wasn't sure what to expect. It turns out that Pensacola is a surprisingly welcoming, open and supportive city, and that's what we're talking about in this episode and why it's a special Florida destination. Complete show notes here! As a destination Pensacola, Florida is one of the few cities in the South that intentionally makes space for diversity and inclusion, both in terms of community support and tourism. Talking with our guest, Sid Williams-Heath, representing the Pensacola Little Theater and the STAMPED LGBTQ Film Festival (president), he shares insights into what the city and private citizens of Pensacola have done to turn their town into a place where everyone can feel welcome, to live or vacation. Highlights we chat about for visiting Pensacola include: --beach vacation ideas --festivals in Pensacola --the Blue Angels --enjoying historic downtown Pensacola Beyond this, there is much more about Pensacola and exploring western Florida on the blog. Check out Fun Pensacola Things to Do, Penasacola Beach Vacation Ideas, and Perdido Key and West Pensacola.

International family travel is quite different than traveling solo as an adult. See what you can do to make planning and executing an international trip with kids easier and something everyone will remember for all the right reasons. (podcast episode focusing on UK travel) Not everyone grows up traveling the world. I certainly didn't, and I think it's safe to say that most of us living in the USA didn't get to venture from North America until we became adults. That's rapidly changing with our generation (gens X and Y) and we're making sure our kids have a viewpoint beyond America. In this podcast episode we've got our friend Kate back with us. She's been a guest before, including talking about travel anxiety and how to manage that. This time we're chatting about how her family's first international trip together went. After spending two weeks in England, Scotland and a quick stop in Amsterdam, it's already clear that having an adventure across the pond has made an impression on the whole family and has changed the course of their future travels.

The Bahamas are so close to Florida that they are many people's first taste of international travel. It's an easy destination to visit, short travel time, and it's a beautiful paradise... but most people's first visit is via a cruise ship. That doesn't have to be the case! With more than 700 islands, on this podcast episode we dig into why the Bahamas are MORE than a cruise port with Angie Orth, travel writer and former PR rep for the destination. Being a native Floridian, Angie has been visiting the Bahamas since she was little. She's vacationed, worked, cruised and even got married in the Bahamas, so clearly she's an expert. Give a listen as we chat about how to get to the Bahamas, which islands are best for first timers, where to plan a trip for a quiet getaway and how YOU can swim with the famous pigs of the Exumas.

Arizona is awesome for a road trip. You might not immediately think of exploring the desert as an epic destination, but if you can visit in the winter, you'll fall in love. We completed a very comprehensive road trip from Phoenix to the Grand Canyon, back through several National Monuments and Sedona, the down to Tucson and Saguaro National Park. From where to watch sunrise in Grand Canyon National Park to cactus safety in the desert, we're talking about all of it. In this episode we talk about the value of having a solid itinerary and how to really experience Arizona for more than the Grand Canyon... but the Grand Canyon really is spectacular. Check out our full Arizona road trip plan and tips on the blog!

Have you ever been on what was going to be the most epic trip only to have it cancelled once YOU'RE ALREADY THERE?! Well, that just happened to us, and being intense planners and very careful travelers, we had the joy of doing a mad scramble to find transportation, accommodations and activities for 8 days, 7 nights in Hawaii... during the busiest travel week of the year. Give a listen to how we handled being stranded in paradise without a place to stay or way to get around. We truly did make the best of it, but had we not had the skills, points and financial capability to act quickly things would have turned out much differently. To find out more about our favorite things to do in the Hawaiian Islands, top educational sites to visit and where to stay from Kauai to the Big Island, check out our blog articles: Hawaii Guides -- Big Island -- Oahu -- Kauai -- Maui

I've learned a lot about travel over the years and for me it's second nature... but that is NOT the case for tons of people. In this episode we've got our friend Kate - anxious but brave traveler - sharing about what obstacles she faces with travel and how she combats the anxiety of the unknown. It takes a lot to overcome fears of all sorts, and managing the fear and anxiety is key. As we dive into what travel anxiety is, and specifically how it can be mitigated, see what tips you can use for your own ease when you take a trip. Background: Kate is heading to the UK with her family for the first time. This is their first international trip together and they've decided to take a big bite of all they can with heading to London, then up to Scotland and finishing with Amsterdam. Kate shares about the processes she's gone through, starting 9 months before their travel date, and the actions she's taking leading up to their departure. We'll have Kate back on the podcast to talk about how the trip went after they return!

It might actually be true that I travel more with my best friend than I do with my husband or kids... I can neither confirm or deny this, but I can tell you that traveling with my best friend of 20 years really is an experience I'm thankful for. Kelly B is back on the podcast chatting with me (Rob Taylor) about our friendship, our relationship as non-spousal adults, and the benefits we both gain from taking these trips together. Yes, people think it's weird that we travel so much together, but I'll tell you this: there's something very life-affirming about having an adventure with somebody you know deeply that ISN'T your spouse and who doesn't look at you as the other parent or as someone who holds a great deal of daily responsibility in their life. Give a listen and consider what sort of travel you can plan with somebody you're not married to. The benefits are many, and the adventures awesome. Check out just a few of the trips my best friend and I have conquered together and you'll understand some of our stories and interactions a bit better!: Big Island of Hawaii Carson City and Lake Tahoe Door County, Wisconsin Maine Road Trip Florida Keys Wildlife Adventures and more

Where to begin?! Glacier Country, Montana is always fun and interesting, but you should hear our youngest talk about it. In this episode of 2TravelDads Podcast we've got Elliott, our 8 year old, recounting his favorite highlights from our trip to Missoula, MT and Glacier National Park. My favorite part is listening to him talk about how we got stuck in a herd of moose. Yes, a herd. Give a listen and hear all the details according to an 8 year old. Elliott shares what he enjoyed in Missoula and his favorite moments from hiking in Glacier National Park. I love how his personality shines through as he tells his version of our trip to Glacier Country. It warms my 40s something heart. For more information and the specifics of our autumn travel to Montana, check out the blog. We're got guides for Glacier NP, planning tips, and more of what you'll find all around Glacier Country! Guide to Glacier National Park Planning a Glacier NP Trip Best of Missoula, Montana with Kids Taking the Train to Glacier National Park Review of the Historic Belton Chalet at Glacier NP Fun Things to do in Glacier Country, MT

We visit the Florida Keys a lot, and really do spend a lot of time in Key West... on the water! Having done water tours and activities with the kids so many times, we for sure have our favorites. In this podcast episode we dive into some of our favorite snorkeling spots and tours, including recommendations for different tour companies to check out. And do you know what we spend so much time on the water in Key West? It's because there is so much of it and the wildlife you see is incredible. From visiting Dry Tortugas National Park to snorkeling at Looe Key Reef, we have stories and tips for having an amazing Florida Keys trip with kiddos. Be sure to check out our many Florida Keys articles on the blog! You can tell we love it there: Best Florida Keys Wildlife Tours Birdwatching in the Florida Keys Favorite Key West Activities Florida Keys on a Budget Awesome Florida Keys Road Trip Plan