Tag: USA
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Exploring the Historic Heart of St. Augustine {Florida}
One of our favorite weekends when we lived in Florida was visiting St. Augustine, a city where history seems woven into every street and building. Often called the oldest continuously inhabited European-established city in the United States, St. Augustine was founded in September 1565 by Spanish explorers arriving on the shores of Florida’s first coast.…
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Celebrating Lunar New Year: Year of the Dragon at Middle Tennessee State University {Tennessee}
One of the great things about working at a university is getting to experience the wide variety of events and cultural programs that happen across campus. It also means being “in the know” about some truly special places that many people—sometimes even those who work here—don’t realize exist. One of those hidden gems is the…
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Cave Tour at Ruby Falls {Tennessee}
We have been to Chattanooga many times over the years, yet there are still places that remain on our list of things to see and experience. Near the top of that list has always been Ruby Falls on Lookout Mountain. We have visited the nearby attraction Rock City Gardens a few times, and each visit…
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Visiting Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument {New Mexico}
A few years ago, I found myself traveling through the deserts of New Mexico, and it did not take long to understand why the state is called the “Land of Enchantment.” Between the rugged mountains, winding roads, and endless desert landscapes, there is something about New Mexico that feels both beautiful and timeless. One of…
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A Snowy Day at Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park {Tennessee}
Snow in Tennessee is always an event. For weeks we had watched other places get snow while we looked hopefully at gray winter skies waiting for our turn. Then finally, the clouds delivered, covering much of the state in a rare winter storm. Whenever snow is in the forecast here, the entire state seems to…
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Lanterns & Pandas at IllumiNights-Zoo Atlanta {Georgia}
After experiencing the Chinese lantern festival at the Nashville Zoo the year before, we already knew how magical these nighttime lantern events could feel. So while we were visiting the Atlanta area and discovered that Zoo Atlanta hosted its own lantern festival called IllumiNights at Zoo Atlanta, we immediately added it to our plans. The…
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A Winter Hike at Tallulah Gorge State Park {Georgia}
We ended the year with a short trip to the mountains north of Atlanta, joined by my mom and one of my college friends for a visit to Tallulah Gorge State Park—one of the most beloved outdoor destinations in the state. The park had appeared in several of our favorite travel books over the years,…
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Holiday Experiences: Lights, Traditions, & Festive Places {Tennessee, Georgia, Kentucky}
We’ve been soaking in the festivities of the season over the past few weeks, with days filled with family gatherings, time with friends, holiday parties at work and school, and as many seasonal celebrations as we can possibly fit in. Even with the busy pace, I’ve really loved this stretch of time. The people and…
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Fall Creek Falls State Park: Waterfall Trails & Colored Leaves {Tennessee}
Over the past few years I’ve worked with international students. One of my favorite ways to share Tennessee with them is by taking them hiking at some of the state parks across the region. It’s one thing to experience Nashville and the well-known cities, but it’s something entirely different to step into the landscapes that…
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Our Camping Curse Continues-Big South Fork National Recreation Area {Tennessee}
Camping and our family have a complicated relationship. We love the idea of camping. We love campfires, hiking trails, sleeping under the stars, and waking up in beautiful places. Unfortunately, camping doesn’t always seem to love us back. Our first camping trip together happened while we were dating and included a visit to the doctor,…