Do you hate all those advertisements cluttering up your favorite magazine? Reiman Publications has solved most of that with their series of magazines. Their entry in the travel genre is Country Discoveries. The only ads (a few subscription cards, a tear out order form, and a full page ad) are for their own products. It is published every other month and I eagerly await each colorful issue.

Country Discoveries is a magazine devoted to discovering great landmarks, roadside chapels, factory tours, diners, and out of the way spots you’d see on a Sunday drive in the United States and Canada. Travelers like you and me submit their own essays, photos, tips, and travel journals write most articles.

The Table of Contents on the inside front cover merely lists the five sections that comprise each issue – Southwest, Northwest, Midwest, Northeast, and Southeast. A different section is highlighted in each issue. The March/April 2002 issue of Country Discoveries begins with the featured section, the Southwest, devoting about 15 pages to it and then between eight and ten pages for each of the other four regions.

Here is a quick overview of the current issue:

The featured section on the Southwest contains an article on Lincoln County, New Mexico. There is about a page of text, and then about eight pages of photos with annotations. (Included with each major article in the magazine is also a small inset state/province map with a red dot to show us where we are and a very high level road map of the area.) The photos in this article appear to depict a good representation of sights—the Sierra Blanca Mountains, the Mountain Arts Gallery, the annual Aspenfest Parade in Ruidoso, Chainsaw bear carvings, a beautiful outdoor installation of horses sculptures, the Lincoln County Cowboy Symposium, cattle drives, a resort called the Inn of the Mountain Gods, the Hurd La Rinconada Gallery, the former Lincoln County Courthouse, a structure called “the Torreon” that settlers used to guard the area, rodeos, an old schoolhouse, the White Mountain Wilderness, and the Church of San Patricio.

In addition, there are articles on an Easter pageant in the Texas hill country, the Hackberry General Store in Arizona; a mineral springs at Glenwood Springs, Colorado; and the Round Top Café in Round Top, Texas.

At the end of each section is an article called “Compass Points,” that includes smaller bits and pieces about the region.

Each issue also includes a scavenger hunt. There is a list of things to find pictured in the magazine. You list the page numbers where they are found on a postcard and send it in. As well, there is an article called “Trip of a Lifetime.” This usually features a destination outside of North America. The story in this issue recounts the trip of a couple from Canada vacationing on the southern tip of South America.

Cost
You can order this magazine from their website (www.countrydiscoveries.com), the order form inside a magazine, or over the phone at 1-800-344-6913. One year (six issues) costs $17.98, two years (12 issues) is $29.98 and three years (18 issues) is only $39.98.

What Do I Like?

I love going vicariously to all these little, out of the way spots! When we travel we like to set aside some of our time to just drive around and these articles are like that. The magazine is always fresh and bright. The photos are clear and show people enjoying themselves. You won’t often find expensive resorts or urban destinations. These are the kind of spots where you can take the whole family. These articles fairly scream “road trip!”

What Doesn’t Work for Me?

Ironically, the thing that works least for me is also one of the more charming features. The readers write the articles. Some of the articles are terrific, but some are just dull or don’t have enough info. The magazine staff helps us out with “what to do before you go” segments, but it doesn’t always save the articles. It’s a lot like Epinions J


Overall Impression

I love experiencing new places and finding hidden gems. This magazine really delivers that. Once in a while I’m disappointed, but usually the articles are like getting long postcards from friends and family.

If you like the concept of no ads, reader written articles, and a clean, easy to read magazine, you might want to check out their other publications:

Country
Country Woman
Reminisce
Taste of Home
Crafting Traditions
Farm & Ranch Living
Birds & Blooms
Quick Cooking
Light & Tasty


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Recommended: Yes