Springtime means losing an hour but gaining more sunlight to see new places. Many of us don't get an official Spring Break, but that doesn't mean we can't take one.
As a full-time freelancer, I know it can be challenging to take time off because when you're not working, you aren't making money. For all the full-timers with benefits, you might have deadlines or responsibilities that make planning a trip less of a priority, but I have a solution: Booking a vacation within our fifty states and territories.
That means less jetlag and depending on where you're going, less travel time. When I was making this list, I wanted to think about places and experiences that might offer something new even for those of us that have spent a lot of time traveling or something familiar for those of us that have cities we love.
Here are five destinations (and a cruise) to think about that don't require a passport:
1.Marfa, Texas
Want to plan a good roundtrip? Visit Marfa. A town with a population of 1,772, to be exact, with the nearest airport almost three hours away in El Paso. Now this town does sound like the start of a scary movie, but the unique city has become a getaway spot for art lovers and creatives — our favorite siblings, the Knowles sister, have spent time in the off the grid town. With a population so small, you might be wondering what visitors actually do there?
Well first things first, you'll want to find a place to stay. If you aren't one to sleep outdoors surrounded my mother nature, the Hotel Saint George's 55-room hotel is a nice choice, especially if you enjoy a luxe hotel experience. But if you are up for becoming one with the great outdoors, booking a yurt at El Cosmico will be an experience to write home about, and the grounds are perfect for getting pictures to add to your Insta grid. Though the town is small, Marfa seems to have a bustling food scene. With cheap eats like Marfa Burrito, Food Shark, and Buns N' Roses and more upscale options like Stellina and Al Campo, there is something for everyone.
As far as sightseeing goes, you can take a guided tour of the Chinati, and it wouldn't be a trip if you didn't get a photo in front of the Prada Marfa installation.
2.U.S. Virgin Islands
Hurricane Irma rocked the U.S. Virgin Islands in 2017, but that hasn't dampened their spirit. Tourism is ramping up as the islands have started to welcome tourists again. With three islands to choose from (St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas), planning the ideal getaway shouldn't be too difficult. The islands offer a chance for visitors to take in their National Wildlife Refuge at Sandy Point, climb The Baths at Virgin Gorda (one of their most visited attractions) which leads to a sandy white beach, snorkel the RMS Rhone, and enjoy the local cuisine in St. Thomas. There is no shortage of properties ready to make your stay one to remember. If you like to support small hotels, the Tingalayo is a six-bedroom private estate offering amenities like an infinity pool and one-of-a-kind views.
3.Wimberley, Texas
Okay, hear me out. Wimberly, Texas is probably not on any black girl's list of places to visit, but the Collective Hill Country sounds like the ideal getaway for someone looking to leave the big city, reset, and try something new. The glamping site is surrounded by 225 acres of ranch and organic farmland, while their accommodations mimic that of an upscale hotel with 1,500 thread-count linens, rain-style showers, and complimentary daily breakfast. If that's not enough to get you to give camping a try, they offer horseback riding, culinary classes, and wine tours.
4.Puerto Rico
It's been nearly two years since Hurricane Maria devastated the island of Puerto Rico, but that isn't stopping them from welcoming visitors with open arms through tourism and volunteerism. Nonprofits like Para La Naturaleza offer tourists the option to experience the island and give back. If you're looking for an opportunity to get a little sunshine and contribute to Puerto Rico's local economy, go ahead and book that flight. The island offers everything from museums in San Juan, scuba diving in Isla de Mona, to rum tours of the Bacardí distillery. Even with the damage of the Hurricane, Puerto Rico has a wealth of hotel options from boutique properties like Hotel El Convento to staples like Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve.
5.The Grand Canyon
Visiting the Grand Canyon has been on my list. I have researched visiting the Canyon, and it seems like the best way to visit is to fly into Phoenix (a four-hour drive) or Las Vegas (about four hours and thirty minutes), and take a road trip from there. The great things about the Canyon being close to these cities are that you can plan a trip within a trip. If you're in need for a little R&R, book a spa day at The Phoenician Spa in Scottsdale. If enjoying the nightlife of Vegas is more your speed, book a hotel at The Aria and buy tickets (or a ticket if you're riding solo) to see Janet Jackson take the stage during her 15-date residency.
6.Take An Ocean To Ocean Cruise
Don't want to do any planning? Book a cruise. Okay, yes there is a little planning involved, like deciding your port city, where to cruise, and how long you'd like your vacation — but the cruise line does the rest. If you want to visit warm-hot spots beyond the traditional cruise routes, Princess Cruises offers an "Ocean to Ocean" cruise that departs from Los Angeles and sails to Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Nicaragua while finishing up in Fort Lauderdale. This cruise isn't for quick trips as it a fifteen-day voyage, but if you're looking for something shorter, the Regal Princess will take you on a seven day trip to the Bahamas, Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, and Mexico.
I hope this got you all thinking about your next trip!
I hope this got you all thinking about your next trip!
Featured image by Getty Images.
RELATED
Now, when you go to the hair store you are inundated with all kinds of hair textures, colors, and more. That’s why it was so upsetting to read the latest report about synthetic braiding hair.
Delmaine Donson/ Getty Images
A Feb 27 Consumer Reports article revealed that most popular synthetic hair brands that are used for braiding have dangerous chemicals such as carcinogens, lead and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The report stated that 10 of the brands were tested and all 10 had these chemicals. These brands included Shake-N-Go, Sassy Collection, and Sensationnel.
These chemicals include benzene, which is a carcinogen that has been linked to acute myeloid leukemia and unsafe levels of lead, which can cause kidney damage, brain damage, and cardiovascular problems in adults.
In children, it can cause brain and nervous system damage, learning disabilities, behavioral problems and even developmental delays.
James E. Rogers, PhD, director and head of product safety testing led the testing for synthetic braiding hair. “Our exposure and risk analysis found all nine products could expose a regular user of any of these products to a level of lead that could be concerning over time,” he said.
As shocking as this is, it also brought some clarity around why I’ve had issues with wearing braiding hair as of late.
Not only have I dealt with scalp irritation, I’ve even had breakouts on my back from the hair touching. Since then, I’ve started rinsing the hair with apple cider vinegar, and haven’t had that many issues. However, the report stated that ACV isn’t a “cure-all” and can potentially release harmful chemicals when rinsing the hair.
@javonford16 Replying to @Julianna Rebundle vid: @Javon Ford Beauty #blackhairstyles #braidinghair #blackgirlhairstyles @Consumer Reports
While the report sparked some outrage, chemist Javon Ford has a different view. In a TikTok video, he shared that the report was tested for oral exposure and not dermal exposure.
He showed a screenshot of an email he allegedly sent Consumer Reports questioning their decision to test this way. The email said, “the best model to use, in our view, is the ingestion model for the reasons given in the article.”
“While I understand they went with that model, I don’t agree with it because you’re not intentionally ingesting braids,” Javon said. The chemist also said that the amount of chemicals found in the brands is “conservative” compared to other types of products.
So what does this mean for us braid-wearers? If you still want to wear braids, but have some concerns, you can limit how often you wear them. Another option is wearing non-toxic braiding hair or plant-based hair. The only downside is that it's pricier than synthetic hair.
The Consumer Report also suggested checking for recalls, reading labels carefully, and reporting adverse effects. Hair isn’t regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, so it’s best to do your research when making purchases.
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Feature image by AzmanL/ Getty Images