Justin over at Southern Explorations sent me their list of the 10 best reasons to visit South America in 2010. I thought it was extremely pertinent because I am sending my photographer to Argentina this week.  I am a little sad to not be going myself- but figure our brother-in-law would be a better companion because he speaks the language.

So here you go- as if you needed an excuse, the top 10 best reasons to visit South America in 2010:

1. It’s Still Affordable: It used to cost much more to fly to South America than to Europe but not anymore. Airfares from many US cities are comparable, and after you arrive, you’ll find hotel and meal prices mostly lower. Favorable exchange rates make 2010 the perfect time to go.

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This is part two of the three part series: 3 Things worth paying for in Maui. DTM’s recommendations on three things you can’t miss out on during your stay on the beautiful Island of Maui.

#2 Take a helicoptor tour: There are a handful of helicopter tours available in Maui that allow you to see the island and catch views that aren’t possible any other way. Based on some recommendations and a spotless safety record I boarded one of Alexair’s A-Star helicopters for a West Maui-Molokai tour. For those of you that may have reservations about stepping into a helicopter, let me just say that the A-Star seemed more like a private jet than a helicopter. It was super comfortable and every seat had a great view.

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If you ever find yourself in or around Tucson, Arizona (hopefully not during summer) you MUST visit the Titan Missile Museum. It’s eerie, fascinating, and historic. You will learn more about the Cold War then you ever thought possible all first hand and if you are lucky from those who lived, breathed, and experienced it. It was definitely an once in a lifetime opportunity and a trip that will be remembered forever by the DTM crew!

During the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union (you know it as the time of bomb shelters and nuclear threats) there were 54 top secret Titan II missile complexes across the United States which stood on alert 24 hours a day, 7 days a week waiting for the call to launch. These missiles were equipped with a thermonuclear warhead that was capable of reaching its target more than halfway across the world in less than thirty minutes.

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This month we had the pleasure of visiting Reid’s hometown in Northern Minnesota. When I say Northern Minnesota I’m serious- it’s only seven miles from the Canadian border. In fact we had to fly into Winnipeg Canada so we could rent a car and drive across the border, but more on that later. We have been married for four years and I still hadn’t seen the town he grew up in and since his sister just had a baby it was the perfect excuse to make the trek and visit the Midwest.

I will have to say it’s a beautiful place. Rivers and lakes are everywhere and beautiful greenery completes the scene. Make sure to keep your eye out for wildlife because we saw a bear, a bald eagle, countless dear, and even a fox! The area he grew up in is near Warroad, MN. It is well known for its excellent fishing and hunting. All along the Lake of the Woods, which is known as the Walleye Capitol of the World, there are many fishing resorts that are full all summer long with fishers hoping to catch some tasty Walleye (as seen in the above picture- this statue of Willie the Walleye is located in Baudette, MN). But fishing is not only limited here in the summer-ice fishing is also an essential part of the culture. Fish houses are seen everywhere and many enjoy spending time with friends and family crowded over a hole in the ice hoping to land a big one.

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To mark the conclusion of road trip week, I’d like to talk a little bit about my experiences road tripping. To be honest road trips are how I’ve traveled most of my life. I’m one of 5 kids and when I was younger our family couldn’t afford to buy 7 plane tickets to travel. When it came to vacations we either drove or we didn’t go. I didn’t even take my first commercial plane flight until i was almost 15 and we finally sprung for our dream trip to Hawaii (if there was a road there, we would have driven there too).

Every summer we’d load up our Ford van complete with two, yes two, luggage carriers and head across the country. It was certainly unconventional way to travel, and we probably looked a little like a traveling circus than a family at times, but it was great. I wouldn’t trade these trips for anything. I can truly say that the greatest trips of my life were spent stuffed in a van with my siblings roaming the country.

Take a road trip!