There’s nothing remotely dull about spending Christmas in Tennessee. In fact, there are literally millions (maybe even billions) of twinkling Christmas lights in Tennessee designed to ensure the holidays are as merry and bright as possible. If shimmering lights help to fuel your holiday spirit, visiting Tennessee in Winter offers endless options to … 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 December 2, 2024] There’s nothing quite like celebrating the holiday season in a magical place, and many small mountain towns offer special NC Christmas Events. From parades and shopping to dazzling Christmas lights and meetings with Santa, these Blue Ridge Mountain Towns are the perfect place to celebrate and get into the holiday spirit. … 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
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg TN, and Pigeon Forge TN are huge vacation destinations complete with theme parks, ski resorts, and other fun attractions. Smoky Mountains Hotels provide a comfortable place to recharge for the next day’s adventures. The southern boundary of GSMNP in North Carolina is the town of Cherokee in the Qualla … Read more
The state of Tennessee is widely known for its music scenes, including the Delta blues of the Memphis area and the Appalachian music (including bluegrass, country, and folk) created by the Scots-Irish people of central and eastern TN. But anyone who’s explored the state in any depth knows it also boasts stunning natural beauty, including the Blue Ridge … Read more
Escape rooms in North Carolina are a unique way to spend an afternoon (or evening) with friends and family. For an hour or so, you can pretend to be in an entirely different world, be an entirely different person, step out of your comfort zone, and challenge your problem-solving skills.. In our experience, … Read more
While Nashville may be considered the home of country music today, many experts consider Bristol TN/VA to be the birthplace of the genre. After all, it was in Bristol where the earliest recordings of country music took place. To my pleasant surprise, rather than being a museum focused on modern music, The Birthplace of Country … Read more
[Updated November 30, 2024] Boone NC is the undisputed king of Christmas trees in the Appalachian Mountains region, annually providing millions of Frasier firs for families from Georgia north to New England. But there are lots of great Christmas Tree Farms in Virginia too. The Virginia mountains are nothing to sneeze at when it comes to … 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
