Heather and Jon 
Despite the fact that we’ve lived in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia for 30+ years now, we still love discovering new hiking trails, roads, mountain towns, and scenic vistas to explore. We recently discovered a different kind of trail– the Shenandoah Beerwerks Trail– which connects craft beer enthusiasts with 19 impressive Shenandoah Valley breweries. This … Read more
Tucked in a gap in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, Gatlinburg is a tourist-driven mountain town with two different levels. The heart of Downtown Gatlinburg is chock full of restaurants, shops, and fun attractions. But there are also an array of mountaintop attractions that can be accessed by a short chair lift, gondola, or bus ride. … Read more
My wife, Heather, and I both grew up in the Mennonite community and attended Mennonite churches and schools. If you met us, you’d see that we live a modern (a.k.a. “mainstream”) Mennonite lifestyle. We both drive cars, have college degrees, and dress according to current fashion. But still we have a great appreciation for our … Read more
[Updated January 31, 2024] The historic town of Charlottesville is at the center of the State of Virginia, both geographically and historically. Here you’ll find presidential homes, college hangouts, a vast array of great restaurants, and stunning natural beauty. C’ville (as it’s known among us locals) is home to the University of Virginia, which was started … Read more
Shenandoah National Park in the Fall invites you to experience panoramic views, cool breezes, beautiful birds, and leaves falling like colorful gems from above. In October, Shenandoah National Park is practically bursting with vibrant Fall colors! This natural attraction welcomes Fall foliage pilgrims every Autumn with towering summits, excellent hiking trails, flowing streams, and magical … Read more
“Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree.” This line from the Emily Brontë poem “Fall, Leaves, Fall” perfectly captures the wistful beauty of Fall in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. The approach of Autumn stirs different expectations in everyone. I look forward to playing golf without intense Summer heat and tailgating … Read more
Fall is finally here! In the state of Virginia, where we live, we’re already pulling out our flannel shirts and stepping out for a pumpkin spice latte. That’s a sure sign that the explosion of Virginia Fall colors won’t be far behind. In Virginia, Fall foliage typically begins to change colors at higher elevations in … Read more
Staunton VA is one of the oldest mountain towns in the Shenandoah Valley, which lies just west of the Blue Ridge Mountains range. It’s a popular destination for travelers who appreciate history, good food, and old-fashioned charm. The town of Staunton is surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains of VA to the east and the Alleghenies to the … Read more
It’s approximately 4,497 miles from Tazewell VA to Munich, the German home of Oktoberfest, the world’s largest celebration of beer. But if a trip to Deutschland isn’t in your Autumn travel budget, there’s an awesome alternative in beautiful Tazewell County, Virginia, with no passport required! Virginia Fall festivals are our jam, and the Southwest Virginia town … Read more
“O Bessie Bell and Mary Gray, they were two bonnie lasses…” Written by a long-forgotten author in the 1700s, this poem memorializes a haunting tale from Scotland about two young cousins who succumbed to the black plague. There are countless other poems, songs, and stories that were brought to America by the Scots-Irish people. … Read more