Fall Fun at the Woolly Worm Festival in Banner Elk NC

Wooly Worm Festival in Banner Elk NC

[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

The 10 Best Weekend Getaways in Georgia

Best Weekend Getaways in Georgia

I’ve lived in the state of Georgia for 50+ years now, so it’s safe to say I’ve visited most of the best Georgia vacation spots at least once. When I was a kid, my family’s Georgia vacations were largely limited to campgrounds in Georgia State Parks. But we did spend a memorable weekend hiking 14 … Read more

The 7 Best Restaurants in Bristol TN/VA to Visit

restaurants in Bristol Tennessee

Having worked in restaurants for 9 years through college and grad school (including everything from a casual café to fine dining), I’m always curious what eateries will be offering where I travel. In recent years I’ve become a homesteader in North Carolina, which puts me in touch with food in a different way and makes me appreciate … Read more

101+ Things to Do in North Georgia

Sunrise-in-Black-Rock-Mtn-State-Park

[Updated September 6. 2023] Between the charming mountain towns, rolling mountains, and breathtaking scenery, there are lots of things to do in North Georgia with an adventure for everyone. Its unique location at the southern terminus of the Blue Ridge Mountains and mild climate allows for year long explorations of stunning terrain and a rich … Read more

The 10 Best Haunted Houses in Tennessee to Visit

Best Haunted Houses in Tennessee

Autumn is arguably our favorite season, bringing with it promises of cooler temperatures, gorgeous Fall colors, pumpkin patches, and apple picking.   As someone who loves a bit of frightful fun, I also look forward to the start of the spooky season, when we can visit the best haunted houses in Tennessee, North Carolina, and Virginia. … Read more

Celebrating Autumn at Oktobrewfest in Tazewell County VA

Oktobrewfest in Tazewell County VA

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

The 10 Best Mountain Resorts in GA to Visit

resorts North Georgia - Brasstown Valley Resort

Growing up in Atlanta, my family never had enough money to visit the many mountain resorts in North Georgia. So instead we tended to stay in campgrounds, and particularly those in the North Georgia State Parks. But by the time I reached my early 20s, staying at resorts in the Georgia mountains became a more affordable … Read more

The 10 Best Things to Do in Winston Salem NC

Things to do in Winston Salem North Carolina - Mural

The city of Winston-Salem is centrally located in North Carolina’s Piedmont region, between the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina and the NC low country. It’s about an hour west of Durham, an hour north of Charlotte, and 2 hours east of Asheville.   Salem has been a settlement since the mid-1700s, before the state of … Read more

The 10 Best Places for Apple Picking in Atlanta to Visit

Apple Picking in Atlanta

When you mention the State of Georgia, peach trees are usually the first thing that springs to mind for most people.   But apples make it pretty big on the North Georgia fruit-picking scene, too!   While there’s not technically any apple picking in Atlanta proper, the cool air and fertile soil of Georgia’s Blue … Read more