Southern Byways » south

Stay Away Hurricane Ike

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 18:40:05 +0000

Although hurricane season while living in or traveling to the south is part of life, no one likes to hear that a storm is coming their way. People rush to the nearest store to stock their homes with water, flashlights and the typical hurricane supplies (and yes, that includes supplies for that ever famous hurricane party) and the shelves are often bare. As word was out that there was no way to avoid Ike, I managed to remain calm and keep my plans for the week, yet remained glued to the TV hoping to catch word of any changes that would take place. Well, I was happy to hear that Florida is officially out of Ike’s path (minus the Keys). So if you are planning a trip to Florida this upcoming week, you should be safe, though I wouldn’t go out of your way to make it to the sunny state of Florida, as you probably won’t get what you are hoping for. If you are heading towards the gulf, you may not be in luck, and we are just hoping it somehow manages to just fade away. Be sure to check out updates at The National Hurricane Center or The Weather Channel.

Photo Credit: alpoma @ flickr

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Extreme Vacation Anyone?

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 20:03:33 +0000

When most people think of Florida, images of sunny beaches, beautiful people and palm trees go through their mind. While some people go to relax, others enjoy the adventure that awaits them. Whether it is rock climbing, scuba diving or kite surfing, you are sure to feel that adrenaline rush you are looking for.

WKRG.com Vide

X-Treme: The rock climbing center of Miami is a full-service rock climbing center in Miami. With an area of over 14,000 square feet of indoor challenges, this is the perfect destination for the adventurous at heart, from 5 to 85. Rock climbing challenges your mind, while improving your stamina, strength, endurance and flexibility. This facility offers everything from beginner’s classes to a performance climbing series and adventure racing. Private and group lessons are available. If not everyone in your group is as adventurous as you are, X-treme also offers yoga classes, so there is something for everyone to do. X-Treme Rock Climbing is located at 13972 SW 139th Ct in Miami. 305-233-6623
Ride & Dive: This is perfect for those who like to see and experience Florida above and below water. South Florida Diving Headquarters and Bruce Rossmeyer’s Harley Davidson have teamed up to offer enthusiasts a ride and dive experience. Spend the day riding around on your Harley (or rent one nearby) and when you feel the need to cool off, head to the diving boat. From there, the boat will take you on an aquatic excursion at sea. Whether you would like to stay on the boat, snorkel or scuba dive, they reach out to all skill levels. For information and reservations, call 800-771-3483.
Howl at the Moon Adventure Race: This popular adventure race in Florida returns for its 10th year and will take place on October 18-19 and will start at Jonathon Dickinson State Park. This challenge involves 12-18 hours of road biking, running, trekking, bushwhacking, paddling and navigating. This race continues throughout the evening and teams must rely on their navigational skills to get them from point to point. This event is organized by Adventurous Concepts.
How about some kitesurfing? Lessons are available through Miami Kiteboarding School and range from an intro 3 hr course to a multi-day course. Your lesson includes the latest 2008 BOW Kite, a complementary wetsuit, a private or semi-private Coach, a personal MKB training card and worldwide IKO certification card at the completion of your package.

But…as we recently learned, hold off on any dare devil experiences when a tropical storm is heading your way, as things will probably get out of hand, as was the case recently when a kite surfer tried to ride the winds right before tropical storm Kay:

Video courtesy of New8wid

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Planning a Trip? Why Not Try the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 16:07:08 +0000

When you are planning a vacation where is the first place you go? Southern Byways, of course (and the rest of the b5media travel sites). Ok, sometimes you need more specific information on a particular city/state such as where to stay, a list of festivals or events, sports teams, shopping destinations, information on the airports, etc. One place that you might check out is the convention and visitor’s bureau. This can be ideal when planning any of the above or when you are planning a convention in a particular city. One note to ponder is that venues often have to pay to be included in the listings, so you may not always get an insider’s guide to the city. Also, some CVB’s offer coupons and discounts so they are worth a visit. Here’s a list of the CVB’s in the south:

Alabama:

Gulf Shores Visit their site to order a vacation guide
Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitor’s Bureau: They offer coupons on the website and you can order a tourist’s guide online
Montgomery Convention and Visitor’s Bureau
Huntsville Convention and Visitor’s Bureau

Arkansas:

Little Rock Convention and Visitor’s Bureau

Florida:

Miami
Palm Beach: Check out this site prior to going to Palm Beach County, as they will send you a book of coupons worth over $1000.
Orlando
For a list of the other CVB’s in Florida visit this site

Georgia:

Louisiana

New Orleans
Baton Rouge
Shreveport
For a list of other CVB’s in Louisiana visit this site

Mississippi

Biloxi
Jackson
For a more complete list of CVBs in Mississippi, go to Visit Mississippi

If you can’t find your city of choice here, visit Convention Bureaus for a more complete list of national and international destinations.

Photo Credit: Giampaolo Macorig’s @ flickr

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Let’s Go to the Mountains: Helen, Ga. -An Outdoor Lover’s Paradise

Sat, 10 Nov 2007 16:59:35 +0000

The year was 1968, and the small mountain town of Helen, Ga., needed help. It needed something to bring in visitors. The town needed a makeover, so they went to a local artist for some suggestions. The artist happened spent some time in Germany and noticed some similarities between the two places. So, he developed some sketches that would transform a sleepy mountain town into an Alpine village in the South.

Today, Alpine Helen is a thriving tourist destination and is one of the more popular places to visit in Georgia – right after Atlanta and Savannah. Perhaps best known for Oktoberfest, a celebration that lasts, oh, about six weeks; however, when you visit Alpine Helen any time of the year, you will find something to do

You can’t talk about this area without talking about the nature beauty that surrounds it. One of Georgia’s well-known state parks, Unicoi State Park is located about two miles from Alpine Helen. The over-1,000 acre park includes 12 miles of hiking trails and eight miles of mountain biking trails ($2 fee to use these trails). Want to stay here longer? Consider getting a room at the lodge – a great retreat to relax, unwind and recharge.Another can’t miss site is nearby Anna Ruby Falls. You may think you have seen waterfalls before, but this is a unique (and spectacular) double waterfall. Hiking trails are also found here.Also, close by is Smithgall Woods Conservation and Lodge is home to what is said to be the best trout stream in the state. For those who love to hike, there is five miles of trails waiting for you to explore. There is also a 28-room lodge on-site as well.Whether you’re visiting Alpine Helen to enjoy the quaintness of the area or the outdoors, you’ll soon add this destination to one of your all-time favorites.

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Cooler Weather can Only Mean One Thing: Time to Head to the Mountains

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 17:20:01 +0000

Fall weather is finally here! Okay, I know if you live where it snows a lot, you are probably laughing at me for being excited about cooler weather, but you have to understand. I grew up where we had two seasons: spring and summer. Yes, there were a few holiday seasons that I wore short sleeves and even shorts. However, I digress.This cooler weather means it is time to go to the mountains. Therefore, for the next couple of posts, I will be highlighting quaint mountain towns through the South and some of their holiday events. The hardest thing for you, dear reader, is deciding when and where to go.

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The Whole Day to Yourself

Mon, 18 Sep 2006 13:44:18 +0000

We are usually so busy trying to create the perfect vacation for the rest of the family, that we forget that it’s our holiday too! So lets just say that today you are somewhere in the south (on vacation), and you get to choose what you are going to do and where you are going to go. What’s it going to be?

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What Did You Forget?

Sun, 02 Jul 2006 13:58:00 +0000

With each holiday, I think that I leave at least one thing behind. What did you forget and when did you realize that you had left it behind. *I am notorious for leaving things hanging on the backs of doors.

What did you forget??

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Tropical Sunsets – Photo Gallery – Florida

Sun, 21 May 2006 15:03:55 +0000

As you can see, sunsets in the south are absolutely incredible! I have seen several and I have never been disappointed. Now if I could just make them a regular thing, I would like it even more!

Exploring the Southern Byways
Bargains
Beaches
Cities of the South
Celebrities
Civil War

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Snow in the South

Sat, 06 May 2006 15:07:44 +0000

“Snow in the South is wonderful. It has a kind of magic and mystery that it has nowhere else. And the reason for this is that it comes to people in the South not as the grim, unyielding tenant of Winter’s keep, but as a strange and wild visitor from the secret North.”
–Thomas Wolfe

Well, I have about a ton of it every winter that I would be more than happy to send south. For that matter, I will fill the car and deliver it to you!

Source

Post from: Southern Byways