Tag: Middle Tennessee
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Visiting Every National Park Site in Tennessee
After sharing about the Junior Ranger program a couple of weeks ago, I started thinking about the many National Park Service sites we’ve visited—especially those close to home. Exploring these parks and historic places has become one of our family’s favorite ways to travel and learn together. Over the years, we’ve slowly worked our way…
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Fall Leaves & Natural Bridges- Exploring Head of the Crow State Park
Tennessee seems to be running a little late with the fall colors this year. All through October we kept watching the trees, waiting for any sign of autumn to peek through. And then, almost overnight, the colors arrived — the brilliant golds and fiery reds painting the hillsides in that unmistakable fall glow. But with…
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Five Favorites : Autumn Hikes in Tennessee
Fall is officially here! It’s my favorite season—the hot, heavy days of summer give way to cooler air, vibrant colors, and the chance to finally step outside without hiding in the comfort of air conditioning. This time of year, you can usually find us on the trails of Tennessee’s state parks, soaking in the crisp…
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Hiking at Lost Creek Falls- Scott’s Gulf Wilderness State Park {Tennessee}
Summer has arrived in Tennessee, and the state parks are calling. Recently, Tennessee State Parks announced the designation of several new parks, bringing the total number to an impressive sixty. We’re still working toward our goal of visiting them all, so we couldn’t pass up the chance to explore one of the newest additions. Scott’s…
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The Tennessee Renaissance Festival at Castle Gwynn
Every week as we drive along Highway 840, we catch sight of castle towers rising above the trees. It’s startling — even a little surreal — to see the silhouette of a medieval castle set against the rolling hills of Tennessee. The sight immediately sparks questions. Why is there a castle there? What does it…
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Hiking Greeter Loop Trail- Savage Gulf State Park {Tennessee}
With the weather finally beginning to thaw after the frozen temperatures of winter, it felt like the perfect time to get outside and go hiking in Savage Gulf State Park. And of course, for us there is no better place to welcome the coming of spring than at a Tennessee state park. When we first…
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Bald Eagles & Snowy Trails- Winter Beauty at Radnor Lake {Tennessee}
There are two kinds of people when it snows in Tennessee. The first rush to the grocery stores, stocking up on supplies to hibernate for a few days. The second head straight outside, eager to enjoy the rare winter wonderland. It should come as no surprise that we fall into the second group. When we…
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The Colors of Fall at the Great Stone Door- Savage Gulf State Park {Tennessee}
It felt like Tennessee was taking its time easing into fall. Even at the end of October, the trees had only just begun to turn—but when they did, it was all at once. Color seemed to burst across the landscape, filling the hills with that familiar mix of wonder and calm that only fall can…
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A Kid’s Guide to Walden Pumpkin Farm {Tennessee}
Fall festivals have always been some of my favorite places—full of pumpkins, hay bales, and that unmistakable feeling of the season. But this visit to the pumpkin patch felt a little different. Walden Pumpkin Farm in Tennessee is one of our favorite pumpkin patches for families, with plenty of kid-friendly activities to enjoy all season…
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A Month of Food, Festivals, and Fall {Tennessee & Indiana}
Fall is my favorite time of year. There’s something about those first hints of color in the trees, the cooler air, and the feeling that everything is coming back to life after the long heat of summer. I love the details of the season—hay bale displays, deep orange and red flowers, and what feels like…