The Best Songs of 2022
I've Finally Visited All 50 States. As It Turns Out, I Saved The Best For Last.
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For years, it's been my goal to visit all 50 states.
Growing up in Pennsylvania, frequent road trips to New England and Florida allowed me to check off coastal states in quick succession.
In subsequent years, easy access to New York City airports made it relatively easy to use holiday weekends to check off more. Around 2010, I saw No. 48 (Hawaii) and No. 49 (North Dakota) as part of family vacations.
This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account? Log in.But instead of making plans for Alaska, No. 50, I pivoted my focus to exploring Asia, Europe, and South America. My idea was that Alaska would always be there.
But after the height of the coronavirus pandemic around 2020, I refocused on North America. By 2023, I knew it was time to visit my last state.
Here's why I'm glad I saved Alaska for last.
Alaska is so big that each city almost felt like a different state Alaska is a massive state. Brian CicioniAlaska's vastness is put into perspective when you remember you can fit two of the second-largest states (Texas) inside of it.
In part because of its size, each part of the state has a different feel.
I started in Fairbanks and had to wear sunglasses on the way to my hotel — it was so bright and sunny out even though it was around 10 p.M. In Ketchikan, I experienced rainy, Seattle weather.
In Anchorage, I was reminded of home as I experienced traffic jams. Here, though, they were caused by a goat that went too far down a cliff adjacent to the Seward Highway.
The state was filled with incredible activities and memorable cuisine Brian CicioniI mined for gold outside Fairbanks, sampled reindeer sausage in Anchorage, and explored the scandalous side of Ketchikan's history along Married Man's Trail.
I visited several museums and was especially impressed with the Alaska Native Heritage Center in Anchorage's replicas of where indigenous people lived. Each dwelling had a member from the given tribe to tell stories and answer questions.
Food-wise, I ate at least one memorable thing in each city. The omnipresent Thai food huts in Fairbanks served as the backdrop for the most surprising culinary experience I've had in the United States.
I ordered my pad Thai through a window and never got out of my car, which made more sense once I learned most vehicle owners use heaters to stop their engines from freezing in the below-50-Fahrenheit winters.
Brian CicioniI tried salmon in Ketchikan, the salmon capital of the world, but I most remember the soft, Parisian-like seaweed gnocchi I ordered in the most touristy part of town.
In Anchorage, I had Southeast Alaskan oysters with plum-wine foam that made me nearly forget every oyster bar I've ever tried in the Northeast.
I was intimidated at first, but I'm glad I saved Alaska for last I enjoyed my travels to Alaska and I would go back. Brian CicioniAlaska ended up being No. 50 for two main reasons.
First, it's probably the most difficult to get to from the Northeast, with direct flights being seasonal and limited.
Second, I was intimidated. How would I, who never even lived in an unattached house, enjoy the largest, least densely populated state?
But once I was aboard Alaska's Denali Star train, enjoying the changing landscapes over a plate of reindeer bolognese while oblivious to the lack of cell-phone reception, I realized I may have saved the best for last.
And I know I'd definitely like to return.
The 40+ Best Walmart After-Christmas Sales And Deals — Save On Vizio, Lego, Xbox And More
The holidays are over but the holiday deals keep coming. Be sure to snag these steals while you finish off the last of the Christmas cookies. (Walmart)
The time to bag a ton of bargains is definitely during after-Christmas sales, maybe even more so than Black Friday and Cyber Monday. While everyone is nursing post-holiday hangovers, major retailers, like Walmart, are busy hosting epic end-of-year clearance sales. Even if you missed out on a few necessities during all that gift-shopping madness the last couple of months, you can now embrace your real last chance to save big in 2024.
Here are the best scores from the Walmart clearance sale, from essential electronics (a new Xbox console for $120 off!) and home care favorites (a Dyson cordless vac for $140 off!) to beauty and style needs and so, so much more. After the chaotic holiday rush, you deserve it.
Best Walmart after-Christmas deals
Walmart
Meet your home's new best friend: the Dyson V8 Origin+ Cordless Vacuum. Though it may look like a lightweight, given its slim profile, it kicks sand in the face of its competitors. It's specially designed for cleaning up after the relentless sheddings, scratchings and, um, soilings of your home's four-legged residents, and it does it by being a ruthless predator. Seamless switching from hard flooring to carpet, a self-adjusting cleaner head designed to seal in its powerful suction and a "tangle-free turbine tool" are just some of the weapons in its detritus-destroying arsenal. "I really like my Dyson cleaner," revealed one five-star reviewer. "It picks up great and is easy to use. Use low speed, and the battery lasts through two or more cleanings of our living room, kitchen, utility room and a big bedroom or more."
$355 at WalmartWalmart
This incredibly popular gaming console usually goes for $500, so if there's anyone in your household simply dying for an Xbox, you likely won't find a better deal than this — $120 off! Gamers will be able to revel in many of the biggest titles of 2023 and beyond, including Starfield, Assassin's Creed Mirage and more. Included is 1TB of storage and, of course, your own wireless Xbox controller. "As a longtime gamer and avid Xbox buyer, I'm extremely pleased with this system. The difference between this console and the OG Xbox One is night and day!" raved one X-cited shopper.
$380 at WalmartWalmart
All those summer blockbusters you missed? They're on a streamer near you, so make your viewing experience a great one with a multiplex-worthy TV to get you through the dark days of winter. You won't do better than this shiny 50-inch set — and its $248 sale price is absurd. The vibrant 4K picture quality will make it feel like you're living out each scene in real time. It also includes Dolby Vision HDR, which boasts incredible brightness. In addition to its crisp, clear display, this set comes with the brand's SmartCast, which streams thousands of movies and shows. "Great product. I've always loved Vizio, and this TV most certainly did not disappoint! Amazing picture, works great with the soundbar, and gaming on it is insane," reported a happy user.
$248 at Walmart
Honpow
The chilled-out time between Christmas and New Year's is always a good opportunity to kick back with your loved ones and enjoy some serious movie-night action — and this compact projector is the perfect way to take the show to the next level. The quality 1080p resolution, impressive brightness and sharp contrast will create a movie theater experience right at home, and it's great for providing an immersive gaming experience too. Plus, that $29 price tag simply cannot be beat. "So happy with this projector," shared a happy customer. "Brought it over to a friend's house for Thanksgiving. It is small and light, ultra-portable and the picture quality surpassed my expectations, even in a not-so-dark room and on a grayish wall, works so well watching movies. And for the price, it's totally worth it."
$90 at Walmart
Walmart
This little heater may be small, but it packs a wallop of warmth — and that 50%-plus discount is nothing to sneeze at either. As temperatures continue to drop, you'll want a little powerhouse capable of warming up your space, and the revolutionary "heat funnel" design of the Dreo helps deliver warmth within seconds and enhance warm air circulation. Don't worry about it causing a commotion either: The brushless DC motor helps the heater operate silently, with no drone or buzz. One Walmart shopper called it the "perfect heater," adding, "Winters at my house are chilly. Bought this for my master bathroom. I turn it on high about 30 minutes before I take a shower. Works perfect for what I need it for; very quiet with no loud fan noise."
$36 at WalmartWalmart
This countertop multitasker doubles as a toaster oven and rotisserie, with 12 preset cooking settings to enable you to conquer kitchen needs like toasting up to six slices of bread, roasting a turkey or vegetables, baking desserts or pizzas, and getting your jerky on with its dehydrator function. And that's just for starters! In addition to the oven itself, you'll also get a mesh crisper tray and a pizza rack. The drip tray will catch all the crumbs and drippings from your food, making cleanup a breeze. Plus, its digital control allows you to, as they say, "set it and forget it." While it's a great appliance to have to double your oven space, some shoppers said it works so well, it has become their all-around go-to: "I have almost stopped using my oven," wrote one. "This appliance does nearly everything. I have used it as a rotisserie, an air fryer, a regular oven, and I have even broiled some gorgeous steaks. It's one of the most useful tools in the kitchen."
$79 at Walmart
Walmart
No, your eyes aren't deceiving you: These sparkling studs are indeed a whopping $130 off. The Ariels will surely become their go-to pair, as they are the perfect size for everyday wear. The halo style adds extra shimmer to enhance the 18-karat white gold plated finish. Plus, they're hypoallergenic and come packaged in a giftable box — perfect for that special someone. One happy customer wrote, "They sparkle and shine much more than I even expected. The gold-plated silver does not irritate my skin and I am very sensitive to metal."
$20 at Walmart
Walmart
Brushing your teeth is, of course, essential to your oral health. If your current toothbrush isn't cutting it, grab the bestselling Fairywill Electric Toothbrush, which delivers up to 40,000 plaque-slaying strokes per minute. Its sonic technology helps to lift stains and food particles more effectively than a manual toothbrush. It's also rechargeable, so you'll never have to go a day without it. "My teeth never felt cleaner!" raved a shopper with pearly whites. "I feel like I'm getting my teeth professionally cleaned."
$22 at Walmart
Walmart
This has to be, hands down, the ultimate low-maintenance plant. Succulents are a super-trendy way to introduce plants into the home and enhance decor. However, even easygoing succulents require basic maintenance and proper placement — unless they're made of plastic, of course. The Lego Succulents building kit includes nine different succulents, each inspired by a real-life variety. It's a great gift idea for plant lovers and black thumbs alike. With three separate instruction booklets in the pack, it's the perfect project to enjoy with friends and family as you wind down from the holiday hubbub. "I always enjoyed Legos growing up, and I have a few of these placed on my desk in my office cubicle," shared one excited builder. "They're nice because I can't have real plants due to the lack of natural sunlight. I'm finding that they make me more productive in my work."
$40 at WalmartWant to save even more? Make sure you're signed up for Walmart+. It's easy to sign up for your free 30-day trial here. You'll get free shipping and grocery delivery, savings on gas and prescriptions, exclusive access to major deals and more. (And, by the way, those without Walmart+ still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.)
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
Save On 150+ Laptops In Best Buy's Last-minute Sales Event
This article contains affiliate links; if you click such a link and make a purchase, Digital Trends and Yahoo Inc. May earn a commission.
Luke Larsen / Digital Trends
Best Buy has launched a surprise last-minute sale on hundreds of laptops and Chromebooks offering some deep discounts and the chance to order many of them to arrive in time before Christmas. If you're looking for great laptop deals, this is your chance to do so. With so many discounts going on, it makes sense to go take a look for yourself. Check out the link below to see everything that's available. Alternatively, keep reading while we take you through some highlights.
See All Deals
Many of the best laptop brands are on sale at Best Buy right now. Some are incredibly good value such as being able to buy an Acer Chromebook 315 for $129 saving $170 off the regular price of $299. It even comes with a travel bag for storage which makes it tempting among many of the best Chromebooks currently around. It has an Intel Celeron N4020 processor along with 4GB of memory and 64GB of eMMC storage so it's ideal for someone seeking a basic Chromebook or looking for a first laptop for a child.
If your budget is higher, we suggest the HP Envy 2-in-1 14-inch touchscreen laptop. Down to $700 from $1,080, it has an Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of memory and 1TB of SSD storage. Its touchscreen means it can be used as a tablet with a 360-degree hinge giving you plenty of flexibility with how you work. It looks great too.
Apple fans will appreciate being able to buy a MacBook Air with M2 chip for $949 reduced from $1,099. It has an Apple M2 chip powering proceedings while there's 8GB of memory and 256GB of SSD storage. Its 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display looks great with over 500 nits of brightness and P3 wide color support so it's perfect for content creation on the move and easily one of the best laptops around.
For one of the best gaming laptops around, check out the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 for $1,100 reduced from $1,600 so you save a massive $500. It has an AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS processor along with 16GB of memory and 512GB of SSD storage. For the graphics card, there's an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 while it's teamed up with a 14-inch QHD screen with 165Hz refresh rate, 2560 x 1440 resolution, and 500 nits of brightness.
These are just a few examples of what the Best Buy laptop sale has to offer with dozens of more on sale. If none of these appeal, hit the button below to see the full sale. There's sure to be something that matches your needs and budget perfectly.
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