Tag: Southeast
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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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Historic Sites Around the Shoals {Alabama}
When we planned a last-minute trip to northern Alabama, our original goal was simple: visit Ivy Green, the birthplace of Helen Keller. But as soon as we started exploring, we realized the Shoals—this collection of towns along the Tennessee River—was full of surprises. From historic landmarks and quirky local sites to musical milestones, there’s so…
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Visiting Ivy Green- Helen Keller’s Childhood Home {Alabama}
The quiet grounds of Ivy Green in Tuscumbia, Alabama feel almost peaceful in a way that invites reflection. Oak trees shade the modest white house where Helen Keller was born, and it’s hard to imagine that such an extraordinary life story began in such a simple place. Visiting the birthplace of Helen Keller is both…
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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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Colorful lanterns of Zoolumination- Nashville Zoo {Tennessee}
We visited Nashville Zoo at Grassmere for their annual Zoolumination, where the zoo transforms after dark into a glowing world of larger-than-life Chinese lanterns. Every year is different, and while we didn’t know exactly what to expect this time, we knew it wouldn’t look anything like our last visit. That sense of anticipation only grew…
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A Day in Downtown Raleigh {North Carolina}
A work trip brought me to Raleigh, and with half a day free, I set out to explore the historic downtown. I had visited North Carolina before, but never its capital. There’s something about a capital city that feels like a good place to begin—where history, culture, and everyday life all seem to meet in…
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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…