I have a question for you. What do you think when you see a woman at a music venue, concert, or cabaret dancing by herself? Does your answer change if it’s a man?
The way you answer is a clue as to how much freedom you allow yourself in traveling alone. When I see folks dancing alone, I see people with self-confidence, ready to have fun. But it wasn’t always like that for me. I was a fat kid (are we allowed to use that word anymore?) and mercilessly body shamed. I spent every school dance standing behind a chair so no one could see my stomach. Not kidding.
Today, every Thursday, I go to a jazz or blues club by myself and post a few minutes of the performance on social media. I call it Not Date Night because I want to encourage everyone, especially women,to go ou, whether solo or not.
Last week, I danced to the Latin beat of Los Chicos del Mambo in a crowd that danced near their chairs, near the bar, or wherever they could find a spot. The music caught all of us, and it was liberating.
That feeling of freedom stayed with me throughout the week. I gave a flower to a woman who sat alone on a bench, a toy to a little girl who had just moved into my community and looked bored, and compliments to strangers. That was my way of dancing with the world.
It even liberated the content of this newsletter. I decided to feature only one location. Pine Bluff, Arkansas, a repository of music, food, and history that inspires you to stand up and dance. It’s perfect timing as an homage to Juneteenth and all that is great about US destination travel
With Pine Bluff on my mind, here’s what I included in this week’s usual sections:
Ask Adriane: What exactly is Juneteenth, and why does it matter for travelers?
News You Can Use: The biggest new developments happening in Pine Bluff right now
Culture Vulture: The music scene, live venues, and the food you need to eat in Pine Bluff
Luxury Travel for Less: Fishing, camping, paddling the bayous, and where to stay year-round in Pine Bluff
Podcast of the Week: Visiting Pine Bluff, A Juneteenth Journey Through the Arkansas Delta
Never stop traveling
Cheers,
Adriane
P.S. Father’s Day is Coming Up
I have solved your biggest Father’s Day problem: what to buy your dad. Here are my picks: Luggage Free (Why Make Dad Shlep The Luggage), Tripped (Great Packing Tools For A More Organized Suitcase), Cruises It (Huge Discounts On Cruises When You Are Ready To Send Dad On A Trip Of A Lifetime Or A 3-Day Stint), The Traveling Hat (Yes, It Comes For Men Too).
P.P.S. Register for the June 10th webinar to discover what travel coaching is and how you can make money, travel more, and help others:
During the webinar, I will show you how to discover your next life’s mission and go through fun exercises to see where Travel Coaching may fit in.
This Week’s Highlights
On Our Podcast
A Visit to Pine Bluff, Arkansas
“Pine Bluff people change the world.” Michael McCray
“The blues is an adaptation to pressure; it’s a mindset before it becomes a note.” Jimmy Cunningham
On this week’s The Ageless Traveler podcast, I take you deep into Pine Bluff, Arkansas, one of the most musically rich, historically layered, and beautifully endowed bayou areas in the American South. We explore the brand-new Delta Rhythm & Bayous Blues and Wellness Plaza, the birthplace of blues legends, the soul of Juneteenth celebrations, and why solo travelers, families, and culture lovers alike need to put Pine Bluff on their map.
Ask Adriane
Q. What exactly is Juneteenth, and why does it matter for travelers?
Alexandria, London, England
A. Juneteenth is celebrated in the US every June 19th and commemorates June 19, 1865, the day Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced that enslaved people were free. This was more than two years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. The news had not reached the deepest parts of the South, and for countless people, true freedom only came on that summer day.
In 2021, it became a federal holiday. It’s a great time to travel to the Southern US states. Celebrations include music, food, prayer, and communal gatherings, and an extraordinary lens through which to experience Black history, Southern culture, and American identity all at once
Culture Vulturing Around the World
The Music and Food of Pine Bluff, Arkansas
Pine Bluff sits at the confluence of the world’s three longest bayous (Bartholomew, Macon, and Meto), and from that geography grew a sound that gave birth to blues, gospel, jazz, and rhythm & blues. In addition to Delta Rhythm & Bayous Blues and Wellness Plaza, when you go, check out:
• Historic Hazel Street – During Pine Bluff’s golden era, blues greats played the Rainbow Club, Jack Rabbit Club, and Masonic Temple. Walking this corridor is a living history lesson.
• The Cajun Fried House – Authentic Cajun flavors that reflect the bayou culture running through Pine Bluff’s history.
• Momma’s Diner – Southern comfort food served with the warmth of a home kitchen.
• Red Oak Steakhouse – Prime beef, local ingredients, and live music on weekends.
• Granny’s Kitchen – A true local gem with classic Southern plates and genuine hospitality.
A must-listen to this week’s podcast on local places to eat from Michael McCray and Jim Cunningham, and Jim’s dissertation on the spirituality of barbecue!
Luxury Travel for Less
Fishing, Camping & Outdoor Adventure in Pine Bluff
Pine Bluff is one of the most surprisingly affordable travel destinations in the South, and it happens to sit inside a natural paradise. The Arkansas Delta offers world-class fishing, paddling, and outdoor adventure at a fraction of what you’d pay at a trendier destination. Whether you visit in the humid bloom of summer or the crisp stillness of winter, there is always something beautiful waiting outdoors.
Fishing:
• Lake Saracen – Named for Chief Saracen of the Quapaw people, this 500-acre downtown lake is perfect for largemouth bass, white crappie, bream, and catfish. Launch from Saracen Landing’s concrete fishing pier with a 40-foot fountain as your backdrop. Open year-round.
• Byrd Lake & Lake Langhofer – Both offer excellent fishing for bass, crappie, stripers, hybrids, and catfish. Lake Langhofer is accessible directly from the Saracen Trace RV Park boat ramps.
• Brump Bayou Fishing Pier – Part of the Lake Saracen Walking Trail, this pier also delivers beautiful wildlife observation.
Paddling & Outdoor Exploration:
• Bayou Bartholomew – Known as the world’s longest bayou at approximately 364 miles, Bayou Bartholomew offers quiet, wild paddling that feels utterly removed from time.
• Saracen Trace RV Park – Open year-round along the Arkansas River with six boat ramps, electric and water hookups, a fishing pond, and river views. Pet-friendly and accessible.
Where to Stay:
• Saracen Casino Resort Hotel – Brand-new 15-story luxury tower. 320 rooms, world-class dining, and entertainment.
• Hampton Inn & Suites Pine Bluff – Indoor pool, gym, free breakfast. Reliable and comfortable for solo travelers and families.
