Bret and Mary 
[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
[Updated 9/22/24] Most of us are familiar with Groundhog Day, wherein a large rodent (a.k.a. Woodchuck) checks to see his shadow on February 2 and helps to predict when Winter will end. But have you ever heard about how one quaint North Carolina mountain town uses a fuzzy caterpillar known as the Woolly Worm to make similar … Read more
We’ve been empty nesters for a few years now. But family-friendly fairs and festivals are still one of our favorite ways to celebrate the arrival of Autumn. Our home state of Georgia can get miserably hot and humid during the dog days of summer. But Fall brings cooler temperatures, lots of fun outdoor activities, and … Read more
[Updated August 15, 2023] Did you know that North Carolina is the 7th largest apple producing state in the USA? Or that Hendersonville Apple Orchards are the most prolific apple producing orchards in the state of North Carolina? There are a whopping 19 Hendersonville apple orchards, which is pretty amazing for a Blue … Read more
I’ve been a big fan of hiking for as long as I can remember. My love of nature was inspired by my parents, who led our church youth group on camping trips to hike the Appalachian Trail in Georgia and explore the North Carolina mountains when I was a young boy. In my 20s, I … Read more
