Gael Fashingbauer Cooper

WAKATOBI NATIONAL PARK - WAKATOBI ISLANDS, INDONESIA | What's in a name? Indonesia's Wakatobi National Park takes its name from a blend of the four island names — Wangi-Wangi, Kaledupa, Tomia and Binongko — that make up the Wakatobi Archipelago off the coast of Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia. While there are more than 50 dive sites easily accessible from the main islands, Ali Reef, known for sea turtles and reef sharks, is a divers' paradise.

Explore a dazzling world under the sea with these colorful coral reefs

April 1, 2020 at 9:03 p.m.

With the current state of the world, is there a better time to dream of hiding out in that wonderful world beneath the waves? The Earth's magnificent coral reefs offer...

COOKED BONES | When Thanksgiving dinner is over, it might be tempting to toss a drumstick bone to your faithful pooch. Resist that urge. Cooked bones can splinter and cause intestinal issues, leading to an emergency vet visit. This goes for fish, chicken, pork and beef bones too. Fragments can pierce your dog's stomach and cause a bacterial infection, constipation and bleeding as your pooch tries to pass them.

Household items that could possibly harm your dog or cat

March 19, 2020 at 1:30 p.m.

Many new parents baby-proof their homes carefully when a child is on the way, locking up medicines and cleaners, and carefully padding sharp furniture. But our pets need special consideration...

USE A DIFFERENT COLOR MARKER FOR EACH PERSON'S SCHEDULE ON A WALL CALENDAR | The bigger your family, the more tangled and busy home schedules get. Keep track of who has soccer, doctor appointments and pep rallies by keeping a large and legible home calendar, then assigning each family member's events a different color. Yes, online calendars are great, too, but this lets you see who's busy when in an easy and obvious way.

Clear out all that clutter with these easy home organizing hacks

December 17, 2021 at 4:43 p.m.

Think back to the day you moved into your current home. Before the furniture arrived, the rooms seemed huge, an empty canvas stood in front of you. But now, life...

Klein calls the poodle "the original hypoallergenic breed." There's a size for all, as the poodle comes in toy, medium and standard varieties.

Shih Tzu! Hypoallergenic dog breeds that won’t make you sneeze

January 14, 2020 at 4:12 p.m.

Owning a pooch can be a rewarding and life-changing experience. But doggone it, dog allergies make it hard for some people to share their lives with a canine companion. Allergy...

CALIFORNIA: GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE |California is jam-packed with landmarks from the Hollywood sign to Disneyland's Sleeping Beauty Castle to the natural wonders of Yosemite National Park. But perhaps nothing shouts "Golden State" quite as loudly as San Francisco's vibrant Golden Gate Bridge, the iconic bridge connecting the City by the Bay with Marin County.

From the Space Needle to the Statue of Liberty, remarkable landmarks in each state

December 23, 2020 at 4:10 p.m.

There are some places in America that so capture the spirit and culture of a state that they become truly iconic. Some serve as memorials, some are natural wonders and...

The beauty of Neuschwanstein, perched high on a hill in southwest Bavaria, inspired one of America's most famous (and photographed) castles: Disneyland's famed Sleeping Beauty castle. The slender spires and towering roofs are impressive, but nothing compared to the ornately decorated interiors. Neuschwanstein is one of the most visited castles in Europe, seeing 1.4 million people every year.

The royal treatment: 25 enchanting castles around the world

August 6, 2022 at 11:37 a.m.

If you saw Disney's Rapunzel movie, "Tangled," then Mont-Saint-Michel in Normandy will look familiar to you. The castle where the long-haired princess is kept looks much like the breathtaking ancient...

From plum pudding to popcorn garlands, 20 forgotten Christmas traditions to bring back this year

December 12, 2019 at 7:54 a.m.

Travel through the past and you may find yourself incorporating some of these cherished ideas into your modern celebration. (Gael Fashingbauer Cooper, The Active Times)

Hurricane Katrina devastated parts of New Orleans in 2005, and tourism struggled for years. Katrina's losses are not forgotten, but the travelers returned in force in the 2010s to this one-of-a-kind Southern city famed for its raucous Mardi Gras, busy Bourbon Street and French-accented, charming hotels and restaurants. Laissez le bon temps rouler ("let the good times roll") in the Big Easy again.

30 of the trendiest places people traveled to in the 2010s

December 2, 2019 at 4:32 p.m.

Travel destinations ride waves of trendiness. In the 1950s and '60s, lovebirds flocked to Acapulco, Mexico, where JFK and Jackie honeymooned. Thanks to his tropical movies and live performances, rocker...

Bring along a multipack of small Play-Doh cans in a variety of colors and the kids could be occupied for hours. Yes, it's TSA-approved <a href="https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/play-doh"></a>. The back of a glossy magazine will work as a great non-stick surface for them to play on in a pinch.

From cards to crafts, 14 ways to keep kids busy during delayed flights

November 18, 2019 at 3:50 p.m.

Flight delays can stress even an adult's patience, but for a child, they can seem interminable. Sure, older kids are likely to turn to screens, playing games and watching YouTube...

Inevitably, someone will show up at your holiday party and hand you a present while you stand there blankly. Here's a tip: When you're next shopping in a grocery or drug store that sells gift cards, pick up an extra. (Target or Amazon are good bets). A $10-$20 card won't throw you into debt, but it'll save you from embarrassment if you do forget someone. If you don't need it, hey, spend it on yourself.

From regifting to buying for the boss, your ultimate guide to holiday gifting etiquette

November 12, 2019 at 3:36 p.m.

Giving gifts is one of the most wonderful parts of the holidays. Who can forget the joy on a loved one's face as they open the present they've always wanted?...

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