Diana Davenport, Author at Crazy Nomad

13 Strange-but-Genius Ways Travelers Turn Homesickness into Wanderlust

March 17, 2025 by Diana Davenport

Missing home can ruin a trip, but the right mindset can turn it into motivation.

Homesickness has a sneaky way of creeping in when you least expect it. One minute you’re loving the adventure, and the next, you’re craving the familiar smells of home-cooked meals, your own bed, or just the comfort of routine. It happens to every traveler at some point, no matter how exciting the destination. But what if homesickness wasn’t a reason to feel stuck but a signal to push yourself deeper into the journey?

Instead of letting it hold you back, the best travelers find ways to channel homesickness into something powerful—wanderlust. By shifting perspectives, creating new rituals, and making the unfamiliar feel like home, they turn what could be a trip-ruining feeling into a reason to explore even more.

If you’ve ever struggled with missing home while on the road, these thirteen strange-but-genius tricks can help you transform that longing into a newfound excitement for the world around you.

13 Insider Tricks to Avoid Overpaying for Your Next Foreign Rental Car

March 10, 2025 by Diana Davenport

Rental car companies love sneaky fees, but you don’t have to fall for them.

Renting a car abroad should be simple—you pick a vehicle, pay the fee, and hit the road. But if you’re not careful, that seemingly affordable rental can turn into a financial nightmare. Between hidden charges, confusing insurance policies, and outrageous fuel fees, travelers often end up overpaying without even realizing it. What looks like a great deal online can quickly balloon into an overpriced headache at the counter.

Knowing how to navigate the fine print can save you hundreds. Rental agencies bank on the fact that most travelers don’t read the terms closely, assume insurance is mandatory, or forget to check for added fees.

But with a little planning and a few smart strategies, you can avoid the worst of the overcharges and keep your budget intact. If you want to avoid the most common rental car traps, these tips will keep you one step ahead.

13 Mysterious American Towns Where Folklore Becomes Reality

February 27, 2025 by Diana Davenport

Where legends refuse to fade and eerie folklore steps out of the shadows, these towns blur the line between myth and reality.

Some towns are defined by their history, others by their natural beauty—but a rare few are shaped by eerie legends that refuse to fade. Across America, these places blur the line between myth and reality, drawing curious visitors and daring skeptics alike. Whether haunted by spirits, stalked by cryptids, or cursed by ancient forces, these mysterious towns make folklore feel all too real.

Essential RV Packing List for Nomads Who Love Life on the Road

February 26, 2025 by Diana Davenport

The freedom of mobile living requires thoughtful preparation beyond the basics.

Transitioning from stationary home life to the rolling adventure of RV nomadism demands a complete rethinking of what “essential” truly means. While the allure of minimalism beckons many to this lifestyle, successful long-term road warriors understand that strategic packing—anticipating both everyday needs and unexpected scenarios—forms the foundation of comfortable mobile living.

Behind every Instagram-worthy moment of sunset silhouettes against desert landscapes or morning coffee beside mountain lakes lies careful preparation. The most seasoned RV nomads have refined their packing strategies through trial and error, often learning the hard way which overlooked items become surprisingly critical when you’re parked miles from the nearest store. This comprehensive packing guide, curated from experienced full-timers, balances the practical necessities with the comfort items that transform a vehicle into a true home on wheels.

Spitting Contests and Bare Knuckle Brawls: 13 Bizarre Customs from the Wild West

February 26, 2025 by Diana Davenport

The Wild West wasn’t just about cowboys and saloons—these strange traditions made it even wilder.

The Wild West was a world of lawless towns, rough-and-tumble outlaws, and untamed frontiers. But beyond the gunfights and gold rushes, life on the frontier came with its own set of bizarre customs. From spitting contests that measured a man’s aim to outlaw codes that dictated the rules of an old-fashioned duel, these traditions shaped the rugged culture of the American West.

Some were practical, born out of necessity in a world where survival often depended on wit and skill. Others were just plain strange, proving that life on the frontier was anything but ordinary. Here are 13 of the most unusual customs that kept the Wild West as wild as ever.