Toast Pop Travels: The Air Force Museum

Ohio gave birth to Wibur and Orville Wright, the men who gave birth to modern aviation. Over a century later, they’re honored in the National Museum of the United States Air Force among three hundred and fifty other aircraft, missiles, and other artifacts related to flight’s history and development. With free admission and parking every day of  the week, this is a great place to spend one or two days while in Dayton, Ohio! 

Situated on the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, the museum is home to over eleven galleries that highlight aviation’s contributions to wartime conflicts and scientific developments in the field. Several craft are furbished to allow visitors to walk through the hulls and peek into the cockpits. Some even have models or simulations of the aircraft driver’s seat. My personal favorite was the Presidential gallery, a display of the aircraft that carried America’s leaders. Even some momentos like dishes, itineraries, and menus are shown. 

A Centennial exhibit honoring the museum itself is planned to open May 20th. 

Other attractions and amenities at the museum include: free guided tours; virtual and audio tours; touchscreen games and information panels; some hands-on STEM integration activities; handicap access and motor carts; an Aviation Hall of Fame; a gift shop; and concessions. Out on the grounds are the Air Park, with a playground and exhibits of Boeing aircraft, a control tower, and Nissan Hut from WWII; and the Memorial Park with statues and plaques for those who gave their lives in the Air Force. For a fee, visitors can get tickets to experience one of their 3-D or VR simulator rides or the museum’s own movie theater with specialty films. 

This museum is very much “Toast Pop approved”! I can’t think of any other feature destination this budget-friendly and steeped in heritage! Just wear good walking shoes and don’t forget to look up as many displays are structured overhead!

images from my trip

The Wright Brothers display

The Wright Brothers display

Don’t forget to look up!

There’s plenty of great photo spots!

From an exhibition featuring flight uniforms

Inside the Aviation hall of Fame

A view inside a cockpit

inside an aircraft

myself in a cockpit

missles

near a space shuttle

One of the presidential aircraft

Around Memorial Park

Plan your visit to the Air Force Museum!

https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/

Find business hours, get directions, preview exhibits, review rules and FAQ’s,  check the movie listings and schedule, and more!

https://www.facebook.com/AFmuseum

Like/follow for updates and events.

https://www.daytoncvb.com/

Find more to do in Dayton! 

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Toast Pop Travels: The National Corvette Museum

I’m not a huge car person, but thankfully the men in my life are! Growing up, my dad worked for a couple automotive production plants and also owned a 1974 C4. My husband is a commercial truck driver but he knows his way around civilian vehicles quite well himself, having tinkered with mine since we’ve known each other. 

My husband’s work has taken him through Bowling Green, Kentucky countless times but two years ago, we were finally passing through for pleasure after Thanksgiving and had time to stop at the National Corvette Museum–someplace he’s been wanting to go, and one I genuinely enjoyed myself given to some extent by my dad’s associations with the classic vehicle. 

The museum is on the aptly named Corvette Drive and can be seen from Interstate 65. It’s also a quarter mile from the Bowling Green Assembly Plant, where Corvettes have been produced since 1981. Plant tours are a possibility, though separate from the museum admission and experience, of course. The 115,000-square foot facility showcases over eighty models throughout its seventy-year production, along with other displays of the company’s history and memorabilia. They’ve even dedicated an exhibit to the collapse of its Skydome floor in 2014–a sinkhole developed under the floor of that section in the building, and swallowed eight rare and one-of-a-kind Corvettes among other debris. The area with extra precautions, and displays have been integrated to illustrate the sinkhole location, a simulation of the disaster, some of the geography behind it, and the recovered or damaged vehicles after the fact. 

images from my trip

A brief history of the brand name

the sinkhole exibit

one tape strip outlined the sinkhole, the other outlined the cave beneath the floor

This is close to what Dad had when I was a kid

A current, limited-engagement feature is a gallery for the Legendary Creations of Carl Casper, the man behind “The Batman Returns” Batmobile, Turbo Shark Corvette/ Cosmic Invader, Young American Dragster/ 51 Merc “Knight Cruiser” and more exotic custom creations. Also, an education gallery opening April 28th will offer hands-on STREAM activities for younger visitors to enjoy. 

Amid cruising the showcases, hungry visitors can dine at the museum’s Stingray Grill that serves diner-style burgers, salads, desserts, and drinks. The museum’s Corvette Store offers Corvette accessories and car care products in addition to typical souvenirs. Right in the lobby is a Corvette driving simulator in which participants drive a C6 on a virtual racetrack. The real driving experience is offered seasonally at the NCM Motorsports Park across the highway.

Even if you’re not a car geek, time here at the National Corvette Museum can be time well-spent with any vehicle enthusiasts in your life! This attraction gets “ToastPop Approval”! 

Plan your visit to the National Corvette Museum!

https://www.corvettemuseum.org/

Buy tickets, book tours (or even hotels), view the Stingray Grill menu, preview exhibits

https://www.facebook.com/corvettemuseum/

Like/follow for special updates and events

https://www.visitbgky.com/

Find more to do in Bowling Springs!

https://corvettestore.com/

Shop online for official Corvette merch!

Exciting Summer Vacation Spots For 2023

As summer approaches, people everywhere are looking for the perfect vacation spot to spend the summer of 2023. Whether you’re looking for a beach getaway, a city adventure, or a cultural experience, there are countless amazing destinations out there to explore. To help you find the perfect summer vacation spot for 2023, here are some of the best places to visit this summer.

For those looking to soak up the sun, the South of France is a great option. With its beautiful beaches, stunning countryside, and world-renowned cuisine, the South of France offers something for everyone. From the glamorous resorts of the Côte d’Azur to the charming villages of Provence, the South of France is the perfect place to relax, unwind, and enjoy the summer.

If you’re looking for an unforgettable city experience, you should consider visiting the vibrant city of Rio de Janeiro. From its stunning beaches to its lively nightlife, Rio de Janeiro is a city unlike any other. It’s a great place to explore the culture and history of Brazil, as well as have fun in the sun.

For a truly unique experience, consider a trip to Iceland. This unique island nation is known for its stunning landscape, incredible natural phenomena, and fascinating culture. Whether you’re exploring the capital city of Reykjavik or taking a drive along the breathtaking Golden Circle, Iceland is a great place to experience the best of summer.

Finally, if you’re looking for a truly unforgettable experience, consider a visit to the Galapagos Islands. This archipelago off the coast of Ecuador is known for its incredible wildlife, stunning landscapes, and fascinating history. From snorkeling with sea lions to hiking through the lush jungles, the Galapagos Islands are a great place to explore the wonders of nature.

No matter where you choose to visit this summer, one thing is for sure: you’re sure to have an unforgettable experience. Whether you’re looking for a beach getaway, a city adventure, or a unique cultural experience, there are countless amazing destinations waiting to be explored. So, get planning your summer vacation for 2023 and make sure you don’t miss out on any of these incredible destinations!

Toast Pop Travels: Blue Moon Café

Shepherdstown, West Virginia is the oldest town in the state, but a blended atmosphere of home-grown, country, and contemporary combine with its antiquity to make it a wonderful place! There is just as much of a unique atmosphere at its Blue Moon Café. Much of the dining area is furnished outside among a shady green oasis that even includes a fountain. The menu is an affordable variety of sandwiches, salads, soups, wraps, pizza, and a little crab. They have many vegan and vegetarian options, along with several alcoholic beverages. Blue Moon is locally sourced, meaning many of their products were grown or made right in the region. Local entertainment can even be found here at their open mic nights.

Blue Moon Café gets my “Toast Pop Approval” for its support of local agriculture, food quality, meal price, and unique dining experience outdoors! Its well-worth the walk from anywhere in the heart of town.

Food and pics of Blue Moon’s outdoor dining area

Plan your visit to Shepherdstown and the Blue Moon Café!

Blue Moon Café homepage: https://bluemooncafeshepherdstown.com/

Check out their menu, see their special features and offers

Blue Moon Café Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blue.moon.cafe.wv/?hl=en

Shepherdstown Visitors Center: http://shepherdstown.info/

Learn the history, find out about local events, plan a stay, and more!

Toast Pop Travels: Topsail Turtle Project

Vacationing tourists aren’t the only ones looking for a good place to stay near the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Topsail Island is the choice nesting ground for several kinds of sea turtles, and along with them is the Topsail Turtle Project, a private, nonprofit, and volunteer organization dedicated to maintaining the sea turtle’s well-being. Their mission to the marine life is to conserve and protect them here and abroad; rescue and rehabilitate the injured; and inform and educate the community about the their plight and threat of extinction. The heart of the organization is the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Surf City. For no more than five dollars a visitor, you can experience a guided tour of the facility and see the turtles in their care. 

Left: workers aid a turtle needing medical attention Right: a rehabilitating sea turtle swims in its own pool

The project’s web pages alone boast information on successful recoveries, releases, and information on nesting along Topsail beaches. So, you’re bound to be part of something new in your visit and even your support through donations.

My family vacationed on Topsail Island this summer, and I really liked being there! It has a small-town vibe: quiet and comfortable. Some beach access is exclusive to visitors and residents of certain residential complexes, and there are some choice local restaurants and even ice cream parlors. The turtle hospital and turtle project are the heart of this community, so I give it all a big “Toast Pop Approval”!

Plan your trip to Topsail Island and the Sea Turtle Rescue Center!

homepage for the rescue center: https://www.seaturtlehospital.org/

Find hours of operation, make a donation, and see what’s going  on.

The hospital Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/seaturtlehospital/timeline

See exclusive photos of the Topsail Turtle Project at work, and try out the area guide app.

Topsail Island homepage: http://www.topsailbeach.org/
Arrange to stay right on the island, and find other things to do.

Toast Pop Travels: Hinton and the Chestnut Revival

Get the “wild and wonderful” experiences of West Virginia in the most authentic ways possible by paying a visit to Hinton, West Virginia! Hinton is a small town tucked away in the eastern hills of the Mountain State and has a rooted successful lineage in being a former railroad town. Hinton is about twenty-eight miles from Beckley, but close to its history with museums dedicated to the railroad industry and the Civil War. Hinton is also not far from state parks Pipestem and Bluestone and the New River Gorge. No place could be any closer to natural beauty and history than Hinton.

There is perhaps no other place in Hinton that can make you feel more comfortable in the mountains than the Chestnut Revival: a homey, bed-and-breakfast and coffee shop on Summers Street. Reviews on TripAdvisor.com rank Chestnut Revival only second to The Market on Courthouse Square, but critics have ranked it the best for its cozy atmosphere, food quality, and friendly service. And this place is definitely a “ToastPop approved” attraction as both editors have been there and loved it! It is everything a coffee shop should be and more! One can easily relax and enjoy themselves in their dining area while consuming home-cooked tea, coffee, and other delicious treats! Most Friday nights are open mic nights featuring local talent and there is fun to be had on most holidays. There is no place like home, but Hinton and the Chestnut Revival could most certainly be your home away from home while you experience all the “wild and wonderful” West Virginia has to offer!

Plan your visit to Hinton and the Chestnut Revival!

Find business hours, book a stay, find local attractions

Chestnut Revival Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Chestnut-Revival/107441515982616?id=107441515982616&sk=photos_stream

Chestnut Revival menu: http://www.chestnutrevival.com/menu.html

They serve breakfast and lunch all day, and offer healthy and organic options 

The city of Hinton website: http://hintonwva.com/

Get information on the history, local life, and events 

Toast Pop Travels: Hyman’s Seafood Company

Scenes around Hymans. That is my family photo there btw 🙂

In the heart of the historic district of Charleston, South Carolina is a wonderful staple business that has stood for over a century. What began as a wholesale center in 1890 has become Hyman’s Seafood restaurant and Aaron’s Deli; a city landmark, a critically acclaimed eatery, and a very popular dining spot! Critics regard Hyman’s for quality food and service all for great prices and many famous faces have dined there at some point, as you will see by the dozens of gallery-style portraits and even on little plaques on the dining tables. It might get a little crowded, but it is not the least bit uncomfortable and worth the wait. Its popularity contributes to the restaurant’s lively atmosphere.  There is something for everyone at the cost of twenty dollars at most for a dinner meal. The complimentary boiled peanuts and hush puppies are some of the best! Usually families with children are even presented with coupons for complimentary dessert redeemable at the general store on the way out, and you can take some of your Hyman’s experience with you when you purchase from their array of souvenirs! Beyond the hype, a trip to Hymans can be a great personal tradition. It’s a family owned business spanning about five generations after all. My own family often vacations in Charleston, and our experiences are not complete if we don’t go to Hymans. Southern cuisine and hospitality couldn’t be a better value anywhere else!

Plan your visit to Hymans!

Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/HymansSeafood
Menu: http://www.hymanseafood.com/files/file/Hymans_Seafood_Menu.pdf

Mobile app: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/hymans/id494362469?mt=8
Free for Apple devices. Access their menu, find recipes, get in on the daily deals, and more!  

Travel with Tutto

Airline travel can be arduous and annoying. The best flight to your destination is one at an ungodly hour with connecting flights. You arrive at the airport only to discover it has been delayed or cancelled. Then you have to worry about the ridiculous baggage fees and all the security searches and standards. Alleviate one less stressful hassle with your luggage and travel with Tutto carry-ons.

Tutto brand luggage is a product of Mascot Metropolitan Inc. This is a greatly accredited brand for the simplistic use of their product, its creative design, its convenient efficiency, and its remarkable capabilities. The Arthritis Foundation favorably assesses it for its four-wheel base that lessens weight and strain on the user’s back and arms, its U-shaped puller bar on either side of the frame that eases maneuvering and takes the bend and stretch of moving luggage. From Homearts magazine, Tutto received a seal of approval for qualities like design, appearance, uniqueness, innovation, and color. A writer from MercuryNews.com states that the lightweight characteristics and the exterior of his Tutto bag allowed him to carry more in a smaller bag. He praises Tutto as the “Rolls-Royce of lightweight luggage”.

There’s a Tutto tote for every need, whether you’re a business person working on the go, or a hobby enthusiast with materials on hand. Provided online are carry-ons and Pullmans for overnight, weekend, or retreat trips. There’s also the “office-on-wheels” and various laptop and PDA cases for stow and go working activity. “Crafts-on-wheels” are ideal for carting scrapbooking affects, and the “machine-on-wheels” for sewing machines and kits. Tutto’s pet carriers are rated the best by the top university of veterinary medicine and Whole Dog Journal. All larger Tutto bags compress to about three inches for storage when not in use.

There are 311 store locations in the United States that carry Tutto bags. Find one near you with their store locator! With many products being available in an array of color choices, your bag will stand out in the sea of bland, homogenous suitcases known as the baggage claim! Any given bag is well into the hundred dollar range, some over two hundred before shipping and handling. The PDA cases run twenty-seven dollars. Product support is available on Tutto.com for demonstrations on how to use their products or for ordering and replacing parts. Tutto bags are a pricey investment, but they come with a year-warranty promising to replacing or fixing defective items. If Tutto is worth your wallet, then travel with less stress on your next trip!

AFAR Magazine

If you enjoy traveling the world, or even just dreaming about it, then AFAR is the magazine for you! This wonderful magazine was created for those who have always wanted to travel, and it provides great color photos of cultures from around the world. This is a great read and could possibly keep one entertained for an hour or so. The articles in the magazine are written by people who have actually been to the countries they are writing about and they are written about what the writer experienced first-hand.

It’s always great to explore unknown lands and learn new and exciting things about different countries and cultures, but sometimes you either can’t afford to do that or you aren’t able to, this is where AFAR Magazine comes into play, it allows you to venture to different areas of our exciting and magnificent world, get an engrossing first hand look at things you might have even missed had you taken the trip yourself, and do it all on your own time with their magazine! If you love travel, or simply dream of going somewhere different, then this magazine is no doubt for you.

The different aspects that play a major role in AFAR and their trending magazine are the images, sections, stories, and information that make you want to visit these places yourself. Don’t get me wrong, this is not an advertising brochure, it is an inside look into things you could only have dreamed of seeing before. You literally feel like you are a part of something much bigger when you read the adventurous pages of AFAR Magazine. To learn more or to subscribe to the magazine visit AFAR.