In typical Harrison Smith fashion, the 12-year veteran safety for the Vikings maintained a rather cryptic tone this past winter while standing inside the visitors locker room at Ford Field in Detroit.

His sweat had barely dried and he was still coming to grips with the fact that the Vikings had missed the playoffs after a 30-20 loss to the Lions in Week 18. He wasn’t interested in talking about his plans for the future, especially when it came to the possibility of retirement.

The only clarity Smith provided was when he emphasized the following: If he indeed decided to retire, there wasn’t going to be formal announcement of any sort. He would simply fade the background. He wasn’t going to bring too much attention to himself.

After taking a couple of months to think about it, Smith ultimately agreed to restructure his contract, ensuring that he would remain with the Vikings moving forward. The time away was important for Smith. He got to spend a lot of quality time with his wife, Madison, and their children, Eleanor and Pierce, and even personally helped with the remodeling of his home in Knoxville, Tenn.

“I was completely living life like I wasn’t a football player,” Smith said. “It’s a good weight off my mind to kind of reset and come back around to it.”

Now that Smith, 35, is back in the mix, he’s confident he can still be an impactful player.

“I still feel good,” he said. “I still feel like I can play at a high level.”

It helps that Smith developed a close relationship with defensive coordinator Brian Flores while getting to work with him on a daily basis. Though he’s more than a decade into his career, Smith went out of his way to note how much he has learned from Flores. They seem to speak the same language when they’re out there together.

“It’s been awesome,” Smith said. “I learned a lot of things last year that I was never really introduced to throughout my career.”

As much as Smith has connected with Flores on the field, he has also connected with him off the field.

“There’s a lot to be learned from him beyond football,” Smith said. “As I’ve gotten a few more years under my belt, I’ve grown to appreciate those things. Just how to carry myself as a man and as a husband and as a father. Those things carry over to football.”

There seemed to be a genuine excitement from Smith this week as he returned to the Twin Cities for organized team activities. He looked reinvigorated and ready to attack whatever gets thrown at him. Even questions about the possibility of this year being his farewell tour.

“I don’t know,” Smith said. “I just kind of take it day by day thinking about what I’m doing on the field and how I can get better at that. That kind of simplifies it and it really lets me enjoy the moment more than like saying, ‘Oh, this is my last one.’ That’s not really my style.”

It never has been. It never will be.

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Ask anybody who played for the Timberwolves during the 2004 playoff run. They will all say the exact same thing.

Given how physically and mentally imposing superstar power forward Kevin Garnett was at the peak of his game, how accepting every player was of his specific role, how connected that team was on and off the court, the Timberwolves would have won the NBA championship if starting point guard Sam Cassell never got hurt.

“He missed most of the Western Conference Finals and we still ended up competing with Lakers,” said Fred Hoiberg, the backup shooting guard in 2004, who proved himself as a marksman from long range.  “That pretty much says it all.”

“We were playing against Shaq and Kobe without him and we still pushed them,” said Gary Trent, the backup power forward in 2004, who provided a sense of security on the court. “The impact of losing him was too much to overcome.”

“I always think about what could’ve been if we were healthy,” said Wally Szczerbiak, the backup small forward in 2004, who made an impact as a microwave off the bench. “Just wish we could’ve seen it play out with us at full strength.”

Now the group that helped the Timberwolves captivate the fan base during the 2004 playoff run is living vicariously through the 2024 playoff run. There is unfinished business in Minnesota as far as they’re concerned, and while it took 20 years for the Timberwolves to get another shot at it, they are finally back in the Western Conference Finals with everything in front of them.

“They’ve got a perfect team,” said Trenton Hassell, the starting shooting guard in 2004, who was known for his defense on he perimeter. “They don’t really have any weaknesses, and everybody seems to know their role. That was a lot like us and what made our team successful. It was us against the world every time we stepped on the court.”

There are certainly some similarities when looking at the constitution of the two best versions of the Timberwolves.

While the 2004 playoff run had Garnett leading his teammates into battle on a nightly basis, the 2024 playoff run has Anthony Edwards serving as the heartbeat of the team.

While the 2004 playoff run had Cassell and starting small forward Latrell Sprewell both stepping up in the clutch, the 2024 playoff run has Karl-Anthony Towns consistently taking his game to the next level.

While the 2004 playoff run had reserves like Szczerbiak and others filling in the cracks, the 2024 playoff run has a much deeper cast of contributors that includes Rudy Gobert, Jaden McDaniels and Mike Conley rounding out the starting lineup, with Naz Reid chipping in off the bench.

Maybe the most striking resemblance, however, is the intangible vibes of both versions of the Timberwolves.

The players genuinely seemed to enjoy playing with each other during the 2004 playoff run.

The players genuinely seem to enjoy playing with each other during the 2024 playoff run.

“You need that,” said Ervin Johnson, the starting center in 2004, who took pride in the dirty work down low. “You can’t win without it.”

Though the Timberwolves didn’t punctuate things 20 years ago with an NBA championship, they still gave Minnesota a month and a half it will never forget.

“It was insane,” said Mark Madsen, a backup power forward in 2004, who became a folk hero because of his energy off the bench.

“We couldn’t go anywhere without people coming up to us. There are some teams that belong to whatever city they are in. You look at the Timberwolves and they belong to the state.”

The fan base has spent 20 years patiently waiting for another team to capture their collective consciousnesses. The road has been filled with ups and downs and twists and turns along the way. All leading to this moment where everybody is behind the Timberwolves once again.

“Those are some good people in Minnesota,” Hassell said. “They deserve a title. They’ve been through a lot over the last 20 years. I’m glad this is happening for them.”

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Terika L. Haynes | (TNS) TravelPulse

COVID-19 changed our lives and gave us a new normal on many things including the way that we work and where we work from. An increasing number of employees are embracing the concept of “hush trips” — a secret vacation away from the office that combines remote work with an enjoyable getaway.

A hush trip, sometimes called a workcation, gives employees a change of scenery away from their regular office environment to achieve their work responsibilities while also balancing vacation activities including dining, wellness, outdoor adventures, and more. The name “hush” reflects the fact that typically the employer does not know that their employee is out of town and on vacation.

While there are some that are against hush trips, there can be some benefits that include:

Work-life balance — Traveling to a new destination can provide a more favorable work-life balance. Employees can leave workplace stress behind while still tending to professional duties from a relaxing environment better suited for work-life integration.

Renewed focus — A change of scenery and routine can reinvigorate employees’ motivation, mental sharpness, and creativity. New sights and experiences recharge their focus.

Wellness boost — With more time for fitness, mindfulness, sleep, and nutrition, hush trips are a prime opportunity to reboot mental and physical health.

Relationship strengthening — Bringing a partner or family along can maximize quality time together in a new, exciting setting.

Cultural experiences — Immersion in a different locale allows for new cultures, cuisines, and customs that can broaden horizons.

The rise of remote work has made hush trips a viable option for many professionals looking to mix business with leisure (“bleisure”) while they are traveling. With just a laptop and WiFi, employees can embrace the digital nomad lifestyle for days or weeks at a time at accommodations and destinations that are responding to the increased demand of remote workers for bleisure travel. An increasing number of hotels are rolling out specialized packages catering to those seeking a workcation experience. There are also a number of destinations that are welcoming travelers for hush trips. Here are some standout “hush trip” offerings:

AC Clearwater Beach (Clearwater Beach, Florida)

The AC Clearwater Beach Hotel has created a fabulous offer for hush trip travelers. Their Hush Trip Haven package includes a Worker’s Welcome Packet that has a portable charging dock, printing credits, a branded notepad, an eye mask for rest, lavender sachets for relaxation, a complimentary drink voucher, and a door hanger with custom messaging for the room service team. Guests will also have access to a personal refreshment concierge from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to make sure that they stay energized and hydrated without distraction.

For guests who do not want to work in their rooms, they will have access to a dedicated co-working space in the AC Business Center, equipped with essential amenities. If guests need a space for virtual meetings they will receive priority access to the AC Media Salon. To entice guests to stay longer, Hush Trip Haven guests can enjoy a 10% discount on stays of three or more weekday nights.

Bayfront Marin House (St. Augustine, Florida)

The Bayfront Marin House is a great option for guests who want an intimate vacation experience during their hush trip. The historic inn offers the Working Hard Hush Trip package that includes complimentary breakfast daily, a portable desk, printer access, and happy hour. Bayfront Marin House is also a wonderful option for couples who wish to travel together as they offer a complimentary trolley ticket for the non-working guest to occupy themselves during the day and in-room couples massage treatments. The Working Hard Hush Trip Package is currently available as an add-on to any reservation.

Grey Havens Inn (Georgetown, Maine)

At Grey Havens Inn they promise not to tell your boss if you indulge in their Hush Trip Extended Stay Package. This package includes daily breakfast, free internet, a complimentary upgrade, a welcome pack of snacks and libations, and personalized afternoon itineraries for guests to enjoy once all of their work is completed. Guests can receive 25% off if they stay 7 days or longer.

The William Vale (Brooklyn, New York)

The William Vale hotel is an excellent option for luxury travelers who are looking to take a hush trip work trip while simultaneously seeking leisurely experiences whilst in the city. The hotel offers their Workin Williamsburg package to employees who wish to work under the radar. The package includes a discount of up to 20% off of guest rooms and suites, complimentary daily breakfast, and a complimentary day pass to The Malin Williamsburg, a design-forward communal workspace located inside of the hotel’s building.

Destinations

While hotels are rolling out enticing hush trip packages, there are some cities that are also getting in on the action. Recognizing the appeal of destinations that combine remote work opportunities with urban amenities and outdoor adventures, these destinations are actively courting digital nomads and traveling professionals:

Visit Pittsburgh

Known for its picturesque landscapes and cultural attractions, Pittsburgh welcomes employees to experience hush trips amidst all that the city has to offer. Travelers can explore parks, museums, and serene neighborhoods. The former industrial city is rolling out the red carpet for digital nomads as they provide a detailed list and tips on where to stay, where to dine, and things to do while visiting the city.

Visit Dallas

With plentiful hotel options, free public WiFi lounges, and a lively mix of urban and outdoor pursuits, Dallas provides a perfect setting for hush trips. The city promises to keep your trip “hush-hush” and offers a range of bleisure experiences for travelers to enjoy during their hush trip. Dallas provides an extensive list of ‘hotspots for hush trips’ including coworking spaces and non-traditional spaces with free wi-fi for travelers to easily attend to their work obligations.

Hush trips offer a valuable opportunity for employees to recharge and revamp their productivity while exploring a new destination. Whether you choose to escape to a comfortable hotel property or explore a fun destination, a break away from the office will help you to prioritize work-life balance and mental well-being during your hush trip experience. Embrace the vacation vibes with a hush trip and then return to the office refreshed, ready to tackle new challenges with renewed energy and clarity.

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©2024 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. Visit at travelpulse.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

By Taryn Phaneuf | NerdWallet

Memorial Day weekend promises to be a big one for road trips, and that means gas prices are going to jump.

As of May 20, a gallon of regular gas costs $3.58 on average in the U.S., according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). Through the summer, gas prices are expected to average $3.70 per gallon nationally.

Summer driving season kicks off

Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of the summer travel season in the U.S. Factoring in all forms of transportation, AAA predicts 43.8 million people will travel this holiday weekend, making it the busiest Memorial Day since 2005, according to its travel forecast released May 13.

Most of those travelers will go by car. AAA expects a record-high 38.4 million people will roadtrip 50 miles or more over the holiday weekend. That would make it the biggest crowd of roadtrippers since 2000, when AAA started tracking.

A surge in demand for fuel will play a role in rising prices ahead of the weekend.

Expect prices to look like last year

There are several reasons why gas prices go up, but a big one at this time of year is seasonal demand. In a normal year, drivers can expect to see a summer spike in prices just because there are more people on the road.

It’s worth noting that recent memory puts a different spin on “spike.” Just two years ago, inflation and super-high oil prices (because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine) contributed to sky-high gas prices. On Memorial Day in 2022, a gallon of regular gas cost $4.62 on average, according to a review of EIA data. Just two weeks later, the national average hit a record $5.01 per gallon.

At that time, the consumer price index for all goods and services showed an annual inflation rate of 9%. But prices for all types of gasoline had risen 60%.

Gas prices haven’t fallen all the way back to levels seen before 2022, but they’ve made progress in that direction. They also seem to have resumed a more predictable annual cycle.

The national average price on Memorial Day in 2023 was $3.57 — more than $1 per gallon less than the previous year. Drivers out and about over Memorial Day this year can expect to see similar prices to last year, AAA says in its holiday weekend travel forecast.

That national average masks a huge range in state-by-state prices, from just a shade over $3 in Mississippi to more than $5 in California.

There could be bumps in the road ahead

Besides consumer demand for gas, prices depend on a complex set of variables, including:

The cost of raw crude oil.
The cost to refine crude oil into gasoline.
Taxes, which vary state to state.

That makes gas prices volatile all the time. But there are factors at play in 2024 that could undermine current expectations for summer gas prices.

First, ongoing wars in the Middle East and Ukraine could disrupt the oil market and lead to higher oil prices.

Additionally, higher standards for summer fuel blends, as well as closures that reduced refinery capacity, have led to higher prices during the past few years. The EIA thinks that could be a factor again this summer, according to a May 14 report.

If production reached a five-year low, as simulated in the EIA report, gas prices could be 10 cents higher this summer than originally predicted.

Taryn Phaneuf writes for NerdWallet. Email: tphaneuf@nerdwallet.com.

The article Hitting the Road? Expect Higher Gas Prices Over Memorial Day originally appeared on NerdWallet.