Southern Byways

On my brisk bike ride from Redfish Village to WaterColor and Seaside, I past by Grayton State Park.  Since I didn’t have a pressing agenda (I’m at the beach, after all), I decided to was going to explore it. And I’m glad I did.
After paying a $1 entry fee (remember, I was on a bike; it’s $4 for a car), I was taken aback by the park’s natural beauty. I know that I have talked up a blue streak about how pretty and old Florida like this area is, but it really doesn’t sink in until you’re at …read more

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I’m somewhat of an outdoorsy-type person. When I say “somewhat”, I mean that never pass up an opportunity to go walking, hiking or just exploring the outdoors – especially when I’m on vacation. When I was at Redfish Village on Blue Mountain Beach (Beaches of South Walton/30-A in the Florida Panhandle), I had it planned out to go for a walk early morning and late evening. I also wanted to go bike riding if possible. So, when I heard about Yolo boarding – I knew it was something I just had to try. 
Perhaps I should’ve mention that I’m quite …read more

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Discovering new places -  isn’t that the heart of travel? It doesn’t matter how many times you have visited a certain city or state, or even if you live there, there is always a handful of places that you never knew existed.
For me that was discovering Second Time Around Mini Farm, which is nearly up the road from me. Located in Washington, Ga., about an hour and half east of Atlanta, and between Athens and Augusta, this 13.5 acres farm is different from anything I’ve ever seen or read about.
The farm has always been in the Moses family, but it …read more

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“I tell people that we have one of the best backyards in America,” comments Andy Hill (Captain Andy), proprietor of Eagle Lodge, located on Eagle Island, Ga.
And he isn’t exaggerating, either.
What may be considered to be one of Georgia’s best-kept secrets, Eagle Island is blessed ten-fold with coastal Georgia’s natural beauty. Of course, for some this maybe perhaps second or equal the island’s other draw: seclusion. See, the 10-acre Eagle Island,  located 10 minutes from Darien, is accessible only by boat. But don’t worry if you don’t have one, because Hill can ferry you to and from …read more

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A big thank you to Blue Ridge Country magazine for directing my attention to the Southern Environmental Law Center’s project Why You Care. The organization is in search of stories from you about your favorite place in the south to visit. Whether you visit there frequently, grew up there or visited one time and it made an impression on you, they want to hear about it.
So, if you have a favorite place in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee or Virginia (or all of the above), let everyone know about it by submitting the story online and …read more

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(Tales from the Road was delayed due to technical difficulties)
So, 6:30 a.m. came a little bit early for me on Saturday, October 4. I’m by no means a morning person during the week, even less so during the weekend. However, this was the day that I was going to go deep sea fishing.
Now given my aversion to boats, I’ve stayed away from deep sea fishing, but since I had such a good time and experience on the dolphin excursion, I was really looking forward to this adventure, with the aid of Dramamine, of course.
Heading back to Harborwalk, “No …read more

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(Tales from the Road was delayed due to technical difficulties while traveling.)
“It’s a smooth ride,” captain Rex Walley, of the Nathaniel Bowditch docked at HarborWalk in Destin, Fla., assured me in his Aussie accent. “If you start to feel sick, let me know and I’ll let you sail the boat. That’ll take your mind off of it,” he smiled at me before returning to his pre-departure duties.
Okay, so I had some reservations about the Friday morning (10/3) sailing excursion. You see, typically when I see a boat, I automatically get sick. And that’s even before it leaves the dock. Yes, …read more

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Clean, crisp cool air; roadside farmer’s markets stocked with pumpkins, apple, and hot cider – all surrounded by deep vibrant red, yellow and orange colors. The scene is set for fall. Time for harvest moons, arts and crafts festivals, and fall foliage.

Wait a minute – fall foliage in the South? You mean leaves change colors in the region, and there are actual trees?
Okay, so the South isn’t known for fall foliage like New England is, but the region doesn’t disappoint if you are looking for some places to see an array of colors.
Where (and When) to Go 
…read more

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I must admit that I haven’t visited Moundville Archaeological Park  since I was a student at Alabama, so I was excited as I traveled south on Highway 69. Since I had a vague memory of the area, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Honestly, this mini-adventure would be a new experience to me.
Now, the town of Moundville is about 16 miles from Tuscaloosa, located in Hale County. The park itself is about 14 miles from Tuscaloosa and kind of borders both Tuscaloosa and Hale Counties.
The park itself is over 300-acres, and is home to around 28 mounds created …read more

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 As the summer wraps up and Labor Day approaches, many people are looking for that last outdoor adventure. One perfect option for enjoying those summer rays is to spend the day at the zoo. But, how do you know which ones are worth visiting and which ones you need to go out of your way for? Here is my opinion on those “must see” zoos in the south:

The Audobon Zoo in New Orleans is considered one of the top zoos in the country. It is home to over 1,800 animals, lush vegetations, an impressive swamp filled with alligators, a jaguar …read more

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