Next to Christmas, Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday, as it was one of the few times of year my extended family (25+ aunts, uncles, and cousins) got together in the spirit of fellowship. The family has shrunk some over the years: My beloved grandparents, my father, my uncle Steve, and my cousin Jon … Read more
He was the sweetest boy you’ve ever seen Loyal and dependable as an evergreen And he came into my life Just when I needed him the most He laid upon my chest to calm his fears He was the best friend I had made in years I would gaze into his eyes And I’d … Read more
(This post was brought to you in partnership with Creative Fabrica. But all opinions remain our own, and we will never compromise the integrity of our relationship with our readers.) I’ve been working as a full-time writer/editor/photographer since 1995, and Mary and I have been full-time independent publishers since we launched our first website, Green … Read more
From the sultry Smoky Mountains all the way west to Memphis, there are some fantastic romantic getaways in Tennessee full of enchanted experiences (for those who manage to leave the room). Weekend getaways for couples in Tennessee are loaded with entertainment options, while the abundance of parks, lakes, scenic routes, and waterfalls make the state perfect … Read more
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 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
With all of its natural beauty and rich (yet sometimes turbulent) history, it’s unsurprising to realize that so much of the state of North Carolina has been protected as U.S. National Parks. From outstanding swaths of biodiversity to Civil War battlefields and pristine coastlines, there are seemingly endless adventures to be found at the … Read more
Asheville NC is one of our favorite Blue Ridge Mountain towns to visit, and it shouldn’t be difficult to understand why. It’s a truly a nature-lover’s playground, surrounded by ecotourism attractions such as Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Linville Falls, Mount Mitchell, and the 500,000-acre Pisgah National Forest. Of course the city itself also has a lot … Read more
Located about an hour north of Atlanta in Habersham County, the Schoolbus Graveyard is arguably among the most unusual and intriguing roadside attractions in North Georgia. Surrounding Alonzo Wade Used Cars & Auto Parts– a 5-acre junkyard that has been in Walter Wade’s family for 60+ years– the colorful landmark embodies two classic clichés. One … Read more
