What happened was this: I packed every last inch of my earthly belongings into a U-Haul, which my now-fiancee and then-boyfriend was to drive halfway down the east coast. I was going to follow behind in my own car, with two appropriately sedated cats, all the way from Somewhere, New York, down to Nowhere, North Carolina...

America Unchained by Dave Gorman is about one man's quest to travel from the West to the East coast of the USA without using any corporate chain brands - so no Best Westerns, no Chevrons, no Taco Bells! This is quite a challenge, as the US Interstates and cities are jam packed with chain businesses. This is my review of his book!

Late winter to early spring is "sugar weather" in Ohio. This is the four to six week period when maple syrup is produced from maple trees. Read how to make maple syrup or take a road trip to see how maple syrup is made. Taste some "farmgate" maple syrup or attend an all you can eat pancake breakfast served with fresh maple syrup.