Want to travel more without overspending or falling for tourist traps? In this episode of Stacking Adventures, Crystal reports back from the Travel & Adventure Show in Washington, DC, breaking down what the experience is really like, whether the upgraded ticket was worth it, and what she'd absolutely do differently next time (hint: show up early and never skip the insider perks).

Crystal and Joe swap travel confessions, talk about navigating crowds and convention chaos, and share how small detours can transform an ordinary trip into a memorable adventure. Along the way, the conversation turns practical, focusing on smarter ways to plan trips, stretch travel dollars, and discover destinations you might never have considered.

What the Stacking Adventures traveler will take away from this episode:

• What a major travel show is actually like and how to decide if attending one is worth your time and money

• Why arriving early can completely change your experience, from smaller crowds to better vendor conversations and bonus perks

• How upgraded passes can pay off when they include seminars, early access, and food that offsets the ticket cost

• The value of talking directly with destination experts instead of relying only on online research

• How adding small, unexpected detours can dramatically improve road trips and create memorable experiences

New destinations and ideas added to Crystal's travel list:

• Alaska trips focused on viewing the Northern Lights

• Tuscany cycling vacations through Pedal & Sea Adventures

• European Christmas market itineraries explored by train through Rail Escape

• Jamaica experiences beyond resorts, including private Blue Hole excursions

• Hidden-gem domestic travel, including Moundsville, West Virginia's mix of history, quirky attractions, and outdoor stays

• Scenic driving routes like Oklahoma's Talimena Drive as a stress-free alternative to major highway routes

Smart travel planning tips you can use immediately:

• Setting Google Flights price alerts to track airfare without constant searching

• Enrolling in the free government Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for travel alerts, safety updates, and easier passport assistance abroad

• Evaluating travel swag, deals, and promotions without getting distracted by flashy booths

• Using train travel and regional transportation to simplify European itineraries

• Thinking beyond headline destinations to find better value and fewer crowds

Meaningful travel conversations from the show floor:

• How tourism initiatives in places like Zanzibar and Tanzania support local youth and communities

• Opportunities through AFS Intercultural Programs for study abroad, hosting exchange students, and scholarship-supported cultural exchange

• How travel perceptions often lag behind reality, especially after major weather events or news cycles

Because every adventure needs a little fun:

• The ongoing "Where in the World Is Crystal Trying to Travel?" guessing game

• Funny moments from the convention floor, including murals, test drives, and unexpected wins

• Travel stories that prove the best memories often come from places you never planned to stop

Your next adventure starts here:

Share your own travel stories and submit destination guesses for a chance at Stacking Adventures swag! Here's the URL for either: StackingAdventures.com/MyStory.

Because the goal isn't just to travel more, it's to travel smarter, connect more deeply, and come home with stories worth telling.

What starts as a European trip in 1987 turns into a quirky quest across England after a chance bookstore discovery, and eventually becomes something far more meaningful than anyone expected.

Crystal Hammond and Joe Saul-Sehy are joined by award winning mystery writer Michael Balter, who shares how stumbling upon a coffee table book listing historic pubs across England accidentally launched him on an unforgettable pub crawl adventure. What began as "let's see if we can find these places" became a journey crisscrossing the English countryside, visiting tiny villages, atmospheric taverns, and discovering stories in every corner.

But Michael's 1987 trip wasn't just about pubs. Along the way, he experienced a life-changing reunion with his long-lost biological father in Berlin, proving once again that travel has a funny way of revealing what you're really searching for, whether that's a perfect pint in a centuries-old pub or missing pieces of your own story.

The conversation weaves between colorful English pub tales, practical travel lessons learned the hard way in an era before Google Maps and smartphones, and the deeply human side of international travel. How being far from home can bring you closer to who you are. There's also a peek at Michael's upcoming novel Dead Exit, plus a brand new, slightly chaotic game where listeners try to guess where in the world Crystal is this time (no passports required).

This episode is part travel memoir, part accidental quest story, and part reminder that the best trips don't always go according to plan, and that's exactly why we remember them.

What You'll Discover:

• How a bookstore find turned into an accidental pub crawl across England
• Why traveling without modern tech made every pub hunt feel like a real adventure
• What it's like to track down historic taverns in tiny English villages
• How Michael's European journey led to reconnecting with lost family in Berlin
• Why pubs and local hangouts tell you more about a place than guidebooks alone
• How travel stories turn into novels and sometimes into healing
• A new interactive game that might just become a Stacking Adventures staple

This Episode Is For You If:

• You love the idea of travel with an accidental quest built in
• You're drawn to stories where serendipity leads to the best adventures
• You've ever wondered what travel was like before smartphones solved everything
• You believe the best discoveries happen when you follow unexpected leads
• You're looking for your next unique travel challenge or inspiration

Question for You:

Have you ever taken a trip where a random discovery (a book, a recommendation, a wrong turn) completely changed your plans for the better? Share your story in the comments or the Stacking Adventures community. Bonus points if it involved tracking something down without Google's help.

What would happen if you said yes to the adventure that's been quietly tugging at you for years?

Joe Saul-Sehy talks with author and long distance cyclist Cory Mortensen, who decided to stop dreaming about a big ride and actually pedal one. He biked from Canada to Mexico along Highway One.

This isn't just about cycling. It's about committing to something that feels bigger than you, preparing without overthinking, and discovering what you're capable of when the road stretches out in front of you. Cory shares how solitude, unexpected kindness, and a willingness to stay curious shaped his journey just as much as the miles did.

Whether your epic adventure is a bike trip, a hiking trail, or something completely different, this episode is a reminder that the best stories start when you stop waiting for perfect conditions.

What You'll Discover:

• How to prepare for a long distance adventure without getting stuck in planning paralysis
• What Cory learned about resilience by riding day after day with no shortcuts
• Why solitude can be one of the most powerful and underrated parts of any journey
• How to stay safe and confident while navigating busy cities and remote roads
• The kind of gear that matters when you're living on the road
• Why naming your bike is not as ridiculous as it sounds once you've spent enough miles together
• How books and stories can fuel your sense of adventure
• What it feels like to reach the finish line and why it's never really the end
• How to stay mentally young by saying yes to new experiences
• Why serendipitous encounters often become the most memorable part of any trip

This Episode Is For You If:

• You've been saying "one day I'll do that" for years
• You want permission to commit to something that scares you a little
• You're curious what happens when you finally stop planning and start doing
• You need inspiration to turn your own adventure from dream to reality
• You believe life is meant to be lived, not just planned

Cory's story might be the nudge that turns one day into now.

Our show notes are at StackingAdventures.com

You'll find Cory's book in our Gear Of The Day picks

Share YOUR cycling (or other) adventure: StackingAdventures.com/MyStory