Visiting Charleston

 

All Image Credits: Matt Handle

If you’ve checked out many of my previous travel posts, you know I have a penchant for visiting historic / haunted places. In June of 2024 and again last week in October 2025 I had the opportunity to explore Charleston, SC. Founded in 1670, Charleston features about as much history as you’re going to find in a country as new as the USA. My occult detective Jack Strange, protagonist of the short story “Strange Rituals”, as well as a yet-to-be-published follow-up and a shelved novel, hasn’t ventured to South Carolina yet, but based on all the interesting stuff I’ve seen there, I think a trip might be in the cards for my one-day-hopefully-famous private dick. It isn’t much of a stretch to imagine Jack running into some ghostly stuff in this charming old place. To whet your appetite for that potential strange case, here are some photos I took while wandering the streets, alleys, and swamps of the colonial city once known as Charles Town.

Visiting Savannah

 

All Photo Credits: Matt Handle

While the majority of the occult detective novel I’m shopping to agents this summer takes place in my home turf of Atlanta, a key scene happens in the port city of Savannah, Georgia. This created the perfect excuse to take the family to Savannah this past weekend for a wedding anniversary/Father’s Day celebration where we could not only have a great time, but I could do some fact check reconnaissance as well. Does this mean our trip was deductible? I’ll leave that decision to my tax professional, but it definitely means I took lots of photos. I’ll save the pictures from the Bonaventure Cemetery for a future post since that’s a very specific location in my book but here are plenty of shots around town including the smaller but still spookily impressive Colonial Park Cemetery.

Ruby Falls

I haven't posted in over five months and I don't plan to write a whole lot this time either, but I thought some of you might be interested in the photos I took at Ruby Falls yesterday. Chattanooga, TN is just two hours north of my hometown of Atlanta and it's one of my favorite weekend trips. Somehow in all the times I've visited, I'd never been to one of its biggest attractions, Ruby Falls.

I was missing out. Ruby Falls has a great H.R. Giger/Alien vibe (for my fellow sci-fi geeks) and my family loved it. If you've never been, make a day of it next time you're in the area. The hike through the underground passages provides some great photo opportunities of the rock formations and the subterranean falls are beautiful.

Enjoy the rock formation pics and waterfall video!

All Image Credits: Matt Handle

Do’s and Don’ts of Visiting Costa Rica

The blog is getting a little dusty so I thought I’d write some Do’s and Don’ts based on our recent 10-day family trip to Costa Rica. If you’ve never visited, I recommend it. If you have been there, feel free to add your own Do's and Don’ts in the Comment section below.

Do: Hire a driver

Costa Rican jungle roads have more S-turns than King George VI trying to say Mississippi. Add to it that they’re loaded with water-filled pot-holes, rarely have any signage, lines, or guardrails, and you’re looking at a Toonces the Driving Cat scenario if you’re not careful.

San Jose rush hour. Good times.

Image Credit: Matt Handle

Don’t: Expect the bajillion motorbike drivers to follow a single traffic law

Half the population of San Jose rides some form of motorcycle and the sole reason seems to be that they’re immune to all laws. They weave in and out of standstill traffic, they run red lights; they steal kids’ lunch money… I didn’t actually see that last one, but I wouldn’t put it past them.

Do: Bring plenty of lightweight clothing

It’s hot. Like, REALLY hot.

Don’t: Forget an umbrella during rainy season

The rainy season lasts from early May to late November and it rains every afternoon/evening during these months. Lightning took out the electricity multiple times while we were there and it apparently killed seven cows.

Extra Don’t: Bring cows.

The Arenal Volcano 

Image Credit: Matt Handle

Do: Visit the Arenal Volcano and hot springs

The volcano and its surrounding landscapes are beautiful. The Springs resort in particular is a great place to stay nearby, but keep your eyes open for deals. The standard run-rate for a room there isn’t cheap.

Don’t: Order margaritas - anywhere

Costa Ricans apparently don’t drink tequila. You won’t find a decent bottle at any restaurant, hotel, or bar. It’s Don Julio, Jose Cuervo, or worse.

San Jose graffiti

Image Credit: Matt Handle

Do: Take lots of pictures

You’ll see plenty of amazing jungle landscapes, gorgeous sunsets, and if you explore San Jose, cool graffiti. You’ll want to capture those memories.

Don’t: Post tons of those pictures on your blog

As much as you love all those pics you snapped, a little goes a long way when sharing those photos with others. Show some restraint. I only shared three!