About the BellaOnline MidWest USA Editor
Mystic Ransdell
Greetings!
I´m Mystic Ransdell, your MidWest USA Editor. I´m happy to meet you!
In my half-century (plus) of life, I´ve lived all over this country - from California to Florida and many places in between. But deep down, I´m a midwestern gal at heart. The early years of my life were spent in upstate Indiana, in and around the South Bend and Mishawaka area. But much to my dismay, when I was seven years old, my mom moved us to the "Land of Enchantment" - the state of New Mexico.
Thankfully, I was still able to return to Indiana every summer when I spent a month at my grandma´s house. My mom would drive one way and I´d fly with my grandma the other way. And during each car trip between Indiana and New Mexico, one of my favorite landmarks to see was the beautiful Saint Louis arch. For me, it marked the halfway point between my two homes, and seemed like a glistening jewel in the middle of the country.
I did learn to love many things about New Mexico, but it never stopped me from missing Indiana. I spent most of the year missing big leafy trees, beautiful rivers, and rolling hills of bright green grass. I missed the rain. I missed my grandma. And I missed lightening bugs. I thought it was so strange and sad that New Mexico didn´t have lightning bugs.
As an adult, I thought I´d return to the MidWest, but life had other plans. I ended up in a number of other places, including about fifteen years in California. (Still no lightning bugs.) But in 2003, I finally found my way back to the MidWest. Since then, I´ve called Columbia, Missouri my home. The first night we drove into the state, we were greeting by an amazing thunderstorm. And when I saw lightning bugs that first summer after so many years without them, I teared up. I admit it.
I think that the MidWest is a special part of the country, but is largely overlooked by many. When people imagine their dream vacation, they tend to think of places like New York, California, or Florida - not Hermann, Missouri or Holland, Michigan. Yet, either of those beautiful places could offer you and your spouse a romantic adventure for a lot less than you´d pay in the more popular locations. I am excited to share these, and many other places, with you.
I´m so into this part of the country, my husband and I even started our own blog - GoofyLoonAdventures.com - where we talk about the "Show Me" state (Missouri) and the eight states that surround it.
Whether you live in the MidWest or are simply planning to visit at some point, I hope you´ll enjoy learning more about this wonderful part of the United States. And if you have questions or comments, feel free to message me anytime!
Submit a Comment - Suggestion - Request to this Editor
NOTE: If you want a response, please make sure to include your email address so we can write back. Also, make sure that any anti-spam blockers you have are set up to allow mail from bellaonline.com! Otherwise our response won't be able to get to you.
Editor's Picks Articles
Top Ten Articles
Previous Features
Site Map
Content copyright © 2018 by . All rights reserved.
This content was written by . If you wish to use this content in any manner, you need written permission. Contact Mystic Ransdell for details.
I´m Mystic Ransdell, your MidWest USA Editor. I´m happy to meet you!
In my half-century (plus) of life, I´ve lived all over this country - from California to Florida and many places in between. But deep down, I´m a midwestern gal at heart. The early years of my life were spent in upstate Indiana, in and around the South Bend and Mishawaka area. But much to my dismay, when I was seven years old, my mom moved us to the "Land of Enchantment" - the state of New Mexico.
Thankfully, I was still able to return to Indiana every summer when I spent a month at my grandma´s house. My mom would drive one way and I´d fly with my grandma the other way. And during each car trip between Indiana and New Mexico, one of my favorite landmarks to see was the beautiful Saint Louis arch. For me, it marked the halfway point between my two homes, and seemed like a glistening jewel in the middle of the country.
I did learn to love many things about New Mexico, but it never stopped me from missing Indiana. I spent most of the year missing big leafy trees, beautiful rivers, and rolling hills of bright green grass. I missed the rain. I missed my grandma. And I missed lightening bugs. I thought it was so strange and sad that New Mexico didn´t have lightning bugs.
As an adult, I thought I´d return to the MidWest, but life had other plans. I ended up in a number of other places, including about fifteen years in California. (Still no lightning bugs.) But in 2003, I finally found my way back to the MidWest. Since then, I´ve called Columbia, Missouri my home. The first night we drove into the state, we were greeting by an amazing thunderstorm. And when I saw lightning bugs that first summer after so many years without them, I teared up. I admit it.
I think that the MidWest is a special part of the country, but is largely overlooked by many. When people imagine their dream vacation, they tend to think of places like New York, California, or Florida - not Hermann, Missouri or Holland, Michigan. Yet, either of those beautiful places could offer you and your spouse a romantic adventure for a lot less than you´d pay in the more popular locations. I am excited to share these, and many other places, with you.
I´m so into this part of the country, my husband and I even started our own blog - GoofyLoonAdventures.com - where we talk about the "Show Me" state (Missouri) and the eight states that surround it.
Whether you live in the MidWest or are simply planning to visit at some point, I hope you´ll enjoy learning more about this wonderful part of the United States. And if you have questions or comments, feel free to message me anytime!
Submit a Comment - Suggestion - Request to this Editor
NOTE: If you want a response, please make sure to include your email address so we can write back. Also, make sure that any anti-spam blockers you have are set up to allow mail from bellaonline.com! Otherwise our response won't be able to get to you.
Editor's Picks Articles
Top Ten Articles
Previous Features
Site Map
Content copyright © 2018 by . All rights reserved.
This content was written by . If you wish to use this content in any manner, you need written permission. Contact Mystic Ransdell for details.
