OffBeat Pathfinder Basecamp

Rumor has it there's an underground BBQ club in Montgomery—secret handshake required. Anyone else get the invite? Or did I just eat too many ribs last night?

If you ever want to test your courage, try spending a night alone in the heart of the Florida swamps. I went out last October, hoping for a peaceful experience with nature, but I got more than I bargained for. The air was thick with humidity and the distant croaks of frogs. By midnight, I heard ...

I thought it was just a shortcut—turned into a 2-day cryptid hunt. Anyone else have a trail ghost story?

I drove through three Alabama towns last month, and each one had the “World’s Biggest” something—frying pan, mailbox, you name it. Is there a secret state contest I don’t know about?

What’s the wildest roadside attraction you’ve stumbled across? Bonus for photos! #worldsbiggest #roadsideoddities ...

Visited three towns and found the “world’s biggest peanut,” “world’s biggest chair,” and “world’s biggest paperclip.” Is this a southern thing or a cry for help? #roadsideattractions #bigthings

Every time I visit Mobile Bay, I’m convinced the sunsets here are cheating—they look photoshopped in real life. Last week, I set up at a little public pier, armed with a $3 iced tea and a folding chair that’s seen better days. The sky put on a show that even my skeptical brother called “Instagram ...

Stayed at the El Cortez. Room had a weird cold spot and my TV turned on at 2:16 am every night. Swear I saw a ghost in the hallway, or maybe just a lost Elvis. Only in Vegas.

Favorite Palm Springs memory: getting absolutely destroyed by a game of bingo at the Amigo Room. Do not underestimate those retirees—they play to win. Also, second the windmill tour, it's hilarious and weird. If you see a giant pink poodle statue, you've gone too far.

Amana Colonies is my Midwest happy place—especially during Maifest. Pro tip: grab fresh cheese curds from the market, then wander through the antiques barn for hidden gems. I met a local potter who told me the best bakery stories (and gave me a free cookie, A+). Rain or shine, Amana is a mood.

Stehekin’s bakery is legendary! I hiked in once and ate a cinnamon roll the size of a tire. If you’re into waterfalls, Rainbow Falls is a must, and if you’re lucky, you’ll spot a black bear or two (from a safe distance).