Torn up about traveling to China? You're not alone. Human rights, oppressive politics, environmental disasters, con. Incredible food (thanks Kalyn!), a culture so rich it's mind boggling, a nation in a staggering state of change? Pro! Every time I read about travels in China, every time I crack a National Geographic that's got a China feature I think two things. First, WOW, do I need to go to China. Do I ever. And secondly, WOW, China looks difficult and exhausting...I can hardly wait.

First things first, the editorializing. Pay the extra bucks and get a real passport, already, okay? Now, from the State Department:

In a rare spin of circumstances, we find ourselves staying put more than usual. Don't be using that word "staycation" on us, we're not dash-cationing of any kind. I'm working, my guy is doing odd jobs, and we are living the freelance equivalent of making hay while the sun shines. When work is plentiful, I stay put and squirrel away my dollars for the day when the market is less kind or it is impossible to stall the wanderlust for another day. In the meantime, our home has been transformed into an international crossroads for those not staying put.

We're here, we're everywhere, get used to it! Okay, that's not really the message that the travelers who attended the travelbloggers meetup at BlogHer 08 sent, but it's not far off. "We matter!" is closer to the heart of things.

So, you're off, are you? If you can tear yourself away from the conference, San Francisco is a terrific city. In fact, one might accuse the BlogHer organizers of being a little heartless in making you choose between that choice session about [your favorite topic here] and heading up to North Beach to drink coffee and window shop. Make time for that wonderful city, it's a West Coast gem.

Like lots of Americans, you may be thinking "backyard BBq and trek to the nearest fireworks display." It's a good plan, a classic really.

Oh no, another "cation" word, this time, it's the "Nakation" - travel for nudists. Courtesy of Fly Away Cafe: Nakations. Nude vacations, while once seen as a narrow travel niche, have grown into a $400 million dollar industry.

I had a dream once, I remember it quite well. I was living on barge with my sweetheart. It’s what we did for a living - he was a river barge captain, we delivered freight via the canals of Europe. It's funny that my subconscious should settle me with so much contentment on a boat - after all, I get seasick and am a little claustrophobic. But on the barge of my dreams, I was supremely comfortable. It was roomy and conditions were seldom rough. We had a nice cabin and a good kitchen and there were lots of windows.

Travelers who don't need visas to enter the United States will be required to register online with the U.S.

File under "want but can't afford" - cashmere travel jammies. No, really. On Trusty Pony. Funny because we had exactly this conversation on our trip to Asia: My girlfriends all want to know: How many pairs of underwear am I taking on our around-the-world journey? On The Wide Wide World. My answer for long term? Five sets, cotton only.

It's not exactly traveling, it's not exactly staying home. Expat bloggers walk the line between living somewhere and being a foreigner and they do it every day. I have a soft spot in my heart for the expat bloggers, having been one myself for so many years. I envy those living in vibrant foreign cities and I sympathize deeply with the difficulties of choosing the expat life, regardless of how romantic and perfect their "home" imagines itself to be.

For some, the Family Vacation is as American as apple pie. And with rising fuel prices, vacations are becoming more elusive for many -- economic options for getting away are in short supply. Today's announcement that American Airlines will now charge for any checked baggage was yet another in a long string of unwelcome travel news: