Bret and Mary 
After 7 years working in the restaurant industry and nearly 30 years of reviewing restaurants professionally, I’ve learned a few things about what makes certain eateries more successful than others. Good food, fresh ingredients, and a unique menu are obvious must-haves. But there’s also something to be said for innovative interior design, personable staff, and … Read more
Surrounded by the Nantahala National Forest in the Great Smoky Mountains, the Historic Tapoco Lodge Resort was the highlight of our visit to Robbinsville NC. With history dating back to the 1930s, the 120+ acre mountain resort is located on the Cheoah River, with 3 Lodge Suites, 6 Lodge Rooms, and 18 Cabin Rooms to … Read more
Ever since spending my boyhood summers on Lake Hartwell in North Georgia, I’ve become a lifelong lover of the myriad beautiful lakes in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Named after early 19th century Cherokee leader Chief Junaluska, Lake Junaluska NC is one of the oldest man-made lakes in North Carolina. The Lake Junaluska Dam on Richland … Read more
The fourth-largest city in Tennessee, Chattanooga (population nearly 185,000) has been a major town in the TAG (Tennessee-Alabama-Georgia) area since before the Civil War. Originally known as a major hub for Southeastern railroads, the city of Chattanooga emerged as one of the region’s largest heavy industrial hubs in the early 20th century. Convenient … Read more
[Updated October 27, 2024] This year was not the first time we’ve celebrated Christmas in Chattanooga, Tennessee. But aside from day trips to see the Rock City Christmas lights, this was the first time we’ve ever devoted multiple days to attending all the biggest Christmas events in Chattanooga. With a population of around 185,000 people, Chattanooga … Read more
[Updated on December 5, 2023] Growing up in North Georgia, some of my favorite childhood memories involved camping and hiking in the mountains with my family. My parents led our church youth group on incredible excursions, hiking up to the summit of Blood Mountain, trekking 14 miles on the Appalachian Trail, and going to visit … Read more
In 2022, my wife Mary decided to make her 80-year-old dad’s longtime dream of spending Christmas in Asheville NC come true. She planned a terrific trip that included two “bucket list” items– the Biltmore Estate Christmas Candlelight Tour and the Polar Express Christmas Train Ride on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in Bryson City. … Read more
[Updated November 2, 2024] It’s no secret that Asheville is one of our favorite Blue Ridge Mountain towns, thanks to its art deco architecture, excellent restaurants, progressive culture, an array of outdoor activities, and proximity to the Blue Ridge Parkway. With its wildflowers in spring, nearby waterfalls to explore in summer, and stunning fall colors every … Read more
[Updated November 16, 2024] In my 25+ years as a professional travel writer, I’ve been extremely fortunate to travel to some amazing destinations all around the world. But, as a lifelong resident of the peach state, I always come back home in time to spend Christmas in Georgia. I grew up in the city and … Read more
Located near the southern shores of Lake Santeetlah, the small town of Robbinsville NC is utterly unlike most of the 50+ Blue Ridge Mountain towns we’ve visited over the last 3 years. The population of Robbinsville, North Carolina is less than 600 people, so even Downtown Robbinsville feels fairly quiet and sleepy. Much like Hot … Read more
