My Town Travels

05/27/2026

I am so incredibly proud of this episode!

Now in our 5th Season, the Travel Small Towns Podcast (Formerly My Town Travels) has really begun to reach individuals who LOVE Small town Tourism and speak that very specific language! This Episode has soooo much goodness! Check it out!

New Episode of the Travel Small Towns Podcast!🎙🎉
Season 5 Episode 13– Morris, Minnesota’s Tourism Coordinator, Brandy Miller!
Listen Now👇
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5ZEPP2nErXWmTNJKfWp49M
OR SUBSCRIBE On your Favorite Listening Platform Here👇
https://travelsmalltownspodcast.com/
✔️🎧Check out our newest episode with Morris, Minnesota’s Tourism Coordinator, Brandy Miller, and Host, Kristy Burns (My Town Travels ). You are going to LOVE the deep dive into small town tourism in this episode- what it is, how it benefits, and how it’s trending!
Listen in as Brandy and Kristy discuss:
- A Welcome to Morris, Minnesota
- Discovering Morris's Natural Wonders
- Sustainability and Agriculture in Morris
- Exploring Outdoor Activities and Accommodations
- The Vibrant Downtown Experience
- Unique Events in Morris
- The Importance of Family-Friendly Activities
- The Unique Charm of Small Towns
- The Benefits of Slowing Down
- The Value of Taking Time Off
- Reflecting on Life's True Priorities
- Evaluating Life Through Health Scares
- The Role of Relationships in Travel
- Understanding Money and Value
- Home Exchange, VRBOs, and Travel Opportunities
- Creating Win-Win Scenarios in Small Towns
- The Importance of Community Engagement
- Sales as Service and Accountability
- Connecting with Small Town Life
- The Heart of Small Town Connectivity
Morris, MN Tourism
https://www.morrismntourism.com/
See less

Morris is located in West Central Minnesota and offers visitors a great place to explore, from hunting and fishing to shopping, eating and more.

05/13/2026

You know, I just had the best Mother's Day! It's been a while since we "went out" on Mother's Day, and it turned out that "all the things" (availability, weather, ect.) turned out just right for a laid back, lovely day!

My hubby & I have stopped in for meals at The Rock House Restaurant - located inside the Hocking Hills State Park Lodge several times now, and have been very happy each time.

This time we checked out their Mother's Day Tea. A special menu curated for Mom😍💐☕️
It was fun trying all the offerings with my mother-in-law, Linda (check out menu in photo).

You can't beat hiking in the beautiful Hocking Hills after a great meal and not having to move locations! We also stopped in after our hike at Cafe 22 for ice cream! 😀🍧

" Immerse yourself in rustic elegance when you visit our on-site dining locations, Rock House Restaurant, Café ‘22, or Rock House Pub. Each location features serene views of Hocking Hills State Park and sensational local flavors that are sure to satisfy."
(https://www.hockinghillsparklodge.com/dining)

05/07/2026

New Episode of The Travel Small Towns Podcast! !🎙🎉
Season 5 Episode 11 – Daniela Murray, Author – Storyteller- Photographer

Okay, here it is, the episode that gives you an insider view of writing small-town material. Listen to Daniela’s Journey to create her debut Novel, I Can Save Her, the real-life inspiration behind the story, and what it takes to truly become a writer.

Listen Now👇
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2mpe4tYQnIYrG2gzO2G0Kh

Or Subscribe On Your Favorite Listening Platform Here👇👇
https://travelsmalltownspodcast.com/

Listen in as Daniela and Kristy discuss:

- How our childhood memories stay with us and inspire us later in life.

- How capturing stories behind the lens for years turned into a passion for writing.

-How small-town travel truly played a major role in Daniela’s debut novel.

-How a journey Daniela decided to take on a women’s retreat in Colorado, confirmed her path to writing.

-How making travel part of your lifestyle can change the direction of your life.

-How to figure out what type of writer you are.

-Why, for Daniela, becoming a “thriller writer” also needs to include humor.

-Overview of Daniela’s Debut Novel, I Can Save Her.

- The Real-Life Town that inspired Daniela’s novel.

-Is Kristy Burns a part of this book?? Guess you’ll have to listen and read the book to find out about this hilarious little mishap!

-A small-town shout-out from Daniela.

-Upcoming projects from Daniela Murray.

GET THE BOOK- I Can Save Her:
https://a.co/d/05BxoxZC

About Daniela Murray:

Hi, I'm Daniela (Photographer turned Storyteller)

After 17+ years behind the lens, capturing emotion and moments in a single frame, I felt called to tell stories in a new way. What I once captured through light and lenses, I now tell with words—letting the stories unfold slowly, and without apology.

While I have only written one book so far, I have self-published through Amazon and learning new things everyday. I discovered I enjoy writing what I love to read. Fast-paced, easy to fall into, with unexpected humor and moments of whiplash and thrill along the way.

Looking ahead in 2026, I have several projects in the works: A YA novel more suited for a teen audience (as requested by my son), the sequel to my debut novel, and my first Rom-Com.

When I am not writing or behind the camera, you'll find me being a mom to two kiddos. They keep me on my toes and have been my biggest cheerleaders through this entire journey. In my downtime, I'll be reading romance (the smuttier kind) or a good psychological thriller likely by Freida Mcfadden.

Follow Daniela Murray:

Website: https://www.danielamurray.com/

Facebook: ://www.facebook.com/Deedeedavila

Instagram: ://www.instagram.com/danielam.author/

TikTok: ://www.tiktok.com/.m.author

04/29/2026

When you find good wine, you share it! 😃🍷

I was so happy that while exploring the area around Milan, OH with & that we found the charming relaxation spot of Vermilion Valley Vineyards.
It was the perfect spot for this trio to toast the day!🥂

About Vermilion Valley Vineyards

Vermilion Valley Vineyards is an estate winery set into the rural landscape of the Vermilion River Watershed. Celebrating a four part mission: To produce WORLD-CLASS quality wines grown in North Central Ohio, provide a warm and inviting atmosphere where friends and family can gather and explore, to educate and promote SUSTAINABLE ​building and land use practices, and to view our community through a PHILANTHROPIC ​lens.

04/26/2026

We truly had a blast at The Thomas Edison Birthplace Museum! We showed up for the history, but also received so much more from Operations Director, Cindi Rospert! I cannot thank her enough for her time and talents as a great storyteller & Peacock Wrangler!

Edison is not just one of the world’s greatest inventors, but was also quite a character, and Cindi helped bring that to life while showing us his birthplace, family history, and, of course, his inventions.

In addition to Edison’s Birthplace, we learned that the small town of Milan had another character in residence, Don Gfell, to whom the Don Gfell Education Center (next to Edison’s Birthplace) is named. This man specialized in collecting Edison inventions, artifacts, & memorabilia, but to a degree that is downright impressive when you view his private collection (Check out the next video).

Lastly, while viewing the Historic Milan Canal Basin (outside of Edison’s Birthplace), we met Milan’s unofficial Mascot, Percy the Peacock. I already posted a video of this, but I wanted to say thank you to Cindi for introducing us and finding out how he loves Butter Beer Goldfish!

04/24/2026

Kind of in love with this bakery! If you're in the Sandusky area- I highly recommend stopping in to the Small Town of Milan for a treat. Absolutely delicious, and beautiful!
Baker on the Square
About:

FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED
Baker On The Square was established by Richard and Amy Shafer in March, 2022. Richard and Amy are long time residents of Milan, Ohio so when they decided to open their bakery, there was no other place than home…Milan, Ohio on the beautiful Historic Village Square. The building where the bakery is located, 47 Front Street, was built in 1900 and has been home to many businesses over the years.

04/21/2026

Okay, so I went to Milan, OH to learn about Edison's Birthplace and Milan's specific brand of small town charm, but this guy stole the show!

Meet Percy... The Resident Peacock and somewhat town pet (even though he is wild) who is so beloved he has his own page!

04/20/2026

Today was great day! 🙌 Can't wait to share all the fun we got up to in Milan, OH!

04/17/2026

Gorgeous morning to be heading out to see my friends Tonya Prater of Travel Inspired Living and Tressie Davis of On Davis Time in Milan, OH!

04/16/2026

New Episode of the Travel Small Towns Podcast!🎙🎉
Season 5 Episode 10– Plot Twist Adventures Owner/Founder, Heather Wright-Rager!
Heather Wright

Listen Now👇
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5wzlPsSQqbDvOnJyaApVSB

OR SUBSCRIBE On your Favorite Listening Platform Here👇
https://travelsmalltownspodcast.com/

✔️🎧Check out our newest episode with Heather Wright-Rager, the Owner/Founder of Plot Adventures (Plot Twist Adventures) and one of the best humans we know, and Host, Kristy Schlosser Burns ( My Town Travels)

Listen in as Heather and Kristy discuss:

* Don’t miss Heather’s powerful and inspiring journey, as she tells us her in-depth story about her heroic struggles that eventually inspired her to create Plot Twist Adventures!

* How Heather overcame the difficulties many of us have faced during Covid, and how the “Plot Twists” began to happen.

* Listen to how Heather found a whole world of seasonal travel work that she never knew existed and found the courage to explore something new.

* Going back to Bunk Beds at 42?? Yep!

* What’s a Ranch Mama??

* The life-changing results of putting over 45,000 miles on your SUV in a year!

* How exploring the windows of the world over the last 3 years is the greatest gift Heather could have ever given to herself, and how Plot Twist Adventures has evolved into an all-inclusive camping and hiking tour company

* Why Plot Twist Adventures is a small group tour company unlike any other. When Heather says “inclusive,” she means it!

* Why Small Group Tours are the BEST way to have a life-changing experience, and how small towns are supporting the outdoor adventure community.

* Heather’s Heart for Small Towns and how she incorporates that passion into her work.

* Some of Heather’s favorite Small Towns.

* Kristy’s personal endorsement for Plot Twist Adventures and her experience.

* The creation of the “Wild & Free OG’s”!

* How Heather continued to “follow the light” even in dark places, and it has led her to her dream job.

* Listen to Heather’s travel lifestyle, even during this podcast!

* What you can expect from signing up and going on a Plot Twist Adventure!

**More on Heather Wright-Rager:

Heather Wright-Rager is a seasoned entrepreneur and marketing professional with over 25 years of experience delivering exceptional customer service across a wide range of industries. Most notably, she owned and operated a full-service marketing agency for more than a decade, helping brands grow through strategic, results-driven marketing initiatives.

Today, Heather remains highly active as a marketing consultant, assisting brands and business owners across the United States. Her expertise includes strategic planning, social media management, email marketing, media buying, online community management, and integrated digital campaigns designed to build strong, authentic connections with audiences.

In addition to consulting, Heather continues to pursue her passion for entrepreneurship through her own ventures. She is the founder of Plot Twist Adventures, an all-inclusive hiking and camping company that curates small-group outdoor experiences. Plot Twist Adventures allows guests to enjoy epic adventures without the stress of planning—providing transportation, meals, gear, guided hikes, and thoughtfully designed itineraries that make the outdoors accessible and unforgettable.

Click Here for Website: https://www.plottwistadventures.com/

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About The ⁠Travel Small Towns Podcast⁠:

Welcome to the ⁠Travel Small Towns Podcast⁠ (formerly My Town Travels). The Only Podcast Dedicated to Small Town Travel Destinations, Culture, & Lifestyle from a small-town perspective. We are bringing you Destination Stories, Experiences, and Tips with Expert Interviews, including Travel Professionals, Writers, Bloggers, Influencers, and Special Individuals who uplift their ⁠Small-Town Communities⁠! Listen now to great travel stories and insights you’ll love, whether for an escape, a laugh, to relate, or to find the best Small-Town Destinations! Join host Kristy Burns, guest collaborators, and small-town enthusiasts as they discuss what makes small towns special and unique places to visit.

Check out More on Small Town Travel at ⁠Travelsmalltowns.com