Hey there,
A bit of nostalgia in this week’s issue.
And the band played on.
Jeannie Ralston went to a block party in her Asheville neighborhood last weekend. The street was filled with young parents watching their kids running around, playing in a bouncy castle and a slip-and-slide. There were hardy any people her age, so she and Mike sat back and watched the action with a mix of delight and wistfulness, lovingly recalling when they were parents of young children. These are the moments when the empty-nest feelings flare up again. She wonders if that longing will ever truly leave her.
With that in mind and in graduation season—when empty nests are created—we have several stories this week focused on the empty nest: how to embrace it, how to grow from it.
One advantage of getting out there early: beautiful morning light.
Jeannie Edmunds said goodbye to Japan 70 years after her grandfather, a parks designer for the US National Park Service, was “loaned” to the Japanese government to help them improve the visitor experience at some of their well-known parks and gardens. “My grandparents brought me a little geisha doll in a red kimono and I remember it standing on the bookshelf in my bedroom for years. I always hoped I’d get to Japan one day.” There are so many visitors in Japan this year: our group visited one of Kyoto’s most famous shrines at 7 AM to avoid the crowds, and it worked! Turns out that’s really the only time to see these places this year.
Do you have a contest-worthy travel photo with people in it? It doesn’t have to be a nature shot. We’ve seen some good ones come through that are more focused on people than places.
You could win $2,000 off a trip, or $1,000 cash. There’s still time to submit your photos and enter the contest here.
The deadline is May 15, midnight ET.
Enjoy the reads!
This Week’s Reads
And from the archives, two stories about the freedom of having no kids around. Several NextTribers have walked the Camino. One will spend 45 days doing it this fall…alone.
Want more? Check out our library of 1,600 articles.
Happy shopping, and safe travels—
Jeannie Ralston, CEO + Jeannie Edmunds, Chief Operating Officer
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Jeannie Ralston says, “I’ve recommended a bluetooth eyemask/headband before. I’m never without mine—home or away. I was reminded of how essential it is on the road when I saw some chatter among our Japan travelers on the WhatsApp thread. Here’s a sample:
`I packed my headphones headband.’
`I love my headphones. Always in my carry-on.’
`Same for me - they are a lifesaver on long flights!!’
But now I’ve found a version from Manta Sleep that is truly exceptional. Soft cups to relieve any pressure on your eyes. Super thin speakers that don’t move around—which is an issue with my current brand. And Time Magazine named the Manta headband one of the 2025 Inventions of the Year.”
