This past month has been filled with the most unexpected mix of adventures—some planned, some stumbled into, and all of them memorable in their own way. On their own, each outing would have made for a great day, but together they tell a story of a summer that has been wonderfully unpredictable.
This kind of mix—the loud, the quiet, the planned, and the unexpected—is quickly becoming our favorite way to experience summer.
Between exploring parts of Tennessee and Georgia, we’ve found ourselves constantly on the move. And somewhere along the way, we realized that summer is already halfway gone. But if the second half looks anything like the first, I think we’re in for something pretty special.
So here’s a look at the random, chaotic, and joy-filled moments that made up our June.
- Night at the Races in North Geogria
- Morning with Pandas at Zoo Atlanta
- Evening at the Ryman
- Unexpected Stop: Nashville Parthenon
- Morning of Blueberry Picking
Where we went this month:
- Winder-Barrow Speedway | Georgia
- Zoo Atlanta | Georgia
- Ryman Auditorium | Tennessee
- Parthenon | Tennessee
- Williamson Family Farm | Tennessee
Night at the Races in North Georgia
If a friend asks if you want to go to what she calls “the redneck races,” the answer is immediately yes.
We showed up at Winder-Barrow Speedway in north Georgia ready for whatever the night had in store. A wide track of red dirt stretched out in front of us, with matchbox-sized cars lined up and waiting. In the center, trailers held the cars between races, while the hillside was dotted with camping chairs and blankets. The smell of concession stand food drifted through the air, and along one side of the track, trucks were backed up to the fence with people tailgating—grills going and coolers open.
Some cars looked sleek and polished, while others looked like they might be just as at home in a demolition derby.
The evening began with qualifying races—fewer cars and a slightly slower pace—but once the main events started, the energy shifted completely. We found ourselves on the edge of our seats as cars sped around the track, engines roaring and red dirt flying into the stands.
With that kind of speed in such a tight space, crashes were inevitable. Cars spun out, dust filled the air, and at one point, tempers flared in the infield after a collision sent a driver out of control. It was chaotic, loud, and impossible to look away from.
I’ve never considered myself much of a racing fan, but being part of the energy of a small-town dirt track race was absolutely thrilling. By the end of the night, our ears were ringing and our clothes were covered in red dust—and somehow, that made it all the more memorable.
After a night of noise and adrenaline, the next stop couldn’t have been more different.
Morning with Pandas at Zoo Atlanta
While we were in Georgia, my friends and I made a stop at Zoo Atlanta for one very specific reason—the pandas.
We had visited the zoo back in December for the holiday lights, but were a little disappointed when the pandas slept through our visit. This time, we arrived right when the zoo opened, determined to catch them awake.
And it was absolutely worth it.
We stood watching as the mama panda leaned back against a wooden post, happily munching on bamboo. The zoo even grows its own bamboo to help feed them, which somehow made the whole scene feel even more special.
She looked completely content, while her twins kept things a little more lively—wandering around, posing for pictures, and occasionally walking right up to the glass to study the visitors just as much as we were studying them.
Knowing that these pandas will soon be returning to China made the moment feel even more meaningful. There was something quietly magical about watching them up close—their slow movements, their calm presence, and those unmistakably sweet faces. I could have easily spent the entire day sitting there, just watching them.
From quiet moments behind glass to a night filled with music and movement…
Evening at the Ryman
A few months ago, our daughter started taking Irish step dancing classes. She quickly fell in love with the rhythm and precision of the steps, and we loved watching her excitement grow with each practice.
When her dance class offered discounted tickets to see Celtic Throne at the iconic Ryman Auditorium, we knew we couldn’t pass it up.
We found ourselves just a few rows from the stage, completely drawn in from the moment the performance began. The dancers’ footwork was incredibly precise and fast, each movement perfectly in sync with the music. What made it even more special was how each dance told part of a larger story—you could feel the emotion woven into every step.
After the performance, we had the chance to meet some of the dancers in the lobby. That moment made a lasting impression. Since then, our daughter’s practicing has taken on a whole new level of determination—she now has a very clear idea of what she’s working toward.
And somewhere along the way, sitting in one of the most legendary venues in Tennessee, we realized something else—we might officially be locals now. There’s something special about experiencing a performance at the Ryman, where the music, the history, and the atmosphere all come together in a way that’s hard to describe.
It was an unforgettable night—one that left us inspired long after the final curtain.
And just when we thought the month couldn’t surprise us more…
Unexpected Stop: Nashville Parthenon
When my aunt came to visit, she had already seen downtown Nashville and wanted something a little more unexpected—something beyond the typical must-see list.
So we took her to Centennial Park to visit the Parthenon.
As she stood looking up at the structure, she smiled and said it was certainly unexpected to find a piece of ancient Greece in the middle of Tennessee—and that really is the best way to describe it.
Built as a full-scale replica of the original Parthenon in Athens, it was created to celebrate Nashville’s centennial and reflects the city’s nickname as the “Athens of the South,” a nod to its strong ties to education and culture.
Inside, the towering statue of Athena Parthenos is impossible to miss. Added in 1982, the gold and ivory figure is both beautiful and slightly intimidating in its scale. For comparison, the small figure of Nike standing in her hand is over six feet tall.
Outside, rows of stone columns line the structure, while detailed sculptures fill the upper pediments. The level of craftsmanship and attention to historical detail makes it easy to imagine what the original Parthenon may have looked like in its prime.
It’s one of those places that feels completely out of place—and yet somehow perfectly at home here.
After big sights and city stops, we slowed things down in the simplest way possible.
Morning of Blueberry Picking
Summer always feels like it belongs to berries, so when we saw a local farm advertising a blueberry picking morning, we couldn’t pass it up.
We headed out to Williamson Family Farm for a slow, sunny start to the day. While the farm is best known as a private event venue—especially for weddings—Saturday mornings are set aside for something a little simpler: picking berries.
We were handed a box and pointed toward rows and rows of blueberry bushes, with a helpful tip—the greener the bush, the more ripe berries you’re likely to find. So we wandered down the rows, taking our time and searching for the biggest, bluest berries we could spot.
At one point, we had to laugh a little—we could have just as easily driven out to my in-laws’ farm in Missouri and picked berries there. But there was something about being out in the sunshine, supporting a local farm, and slowing down for a bit that made this feel special in its own way.
By the time we left, our boxes were full and our plans for the week had shifted slightly—we now had blueberries to use up. So far, they’ve made their way into pancakes, muffins, and a cobbler, each one a small reminder of that simple summer morning.
Looking back, it’s hard to believe that all of these moments fit into just one month. From the roar of engines and red dirt at the racetrack to quiet mornings spent picking berries, it’s the mix of big experiences and simple joys that has made this summer feel so full.
Not everything was planned, not everything matched, and that’s exactly what made it memorable. Sometimes the best days come from saying yes to something unexpected and seeing where it leads. If this is what the first half of summer has looked like, I can’t wait to see what the rest has in store.
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Thanks for coming along on this collection of June activities. May your cars and feet be fast and your berries and bears be sweet.
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