Site Map

Meet Jefferson Davis at the Cross Keys House in Union

The Cross Keys home is considered one of the oldest and most significant homes in the Upstate of South Carolina. The Georgian Colonial mansions’ claim to fame is that Confederate President Jefferson Davis and his military escort ate lunch here on April 30, 1865 on their way out of Richmond, Virginia.  Mary Ann Bobo Whitmire [...]

The Revolutionary War Comes Alive at Musgrove Mill

The battle that took place at Musgrove Mill on August 19, 1780 was a short (about 30 minutes) but very bloody battle. In fact, Isaac Shelby, a Colonel that fought both at Musgrove Mill and Kings Mountain stated in his memoirs that the battle at Musgrove Mill was the fiercest battle in which he ever [...]

Recent Trips

February and March have been fairly busy months! Here’s what’s been going on in my neck of the woods… In February I was able to spend Mardi Gras in Shreveport, Louisiana. I never would have thunk that Mardi Gras was such a big deal here-but it is.  Lots of festivities, parades and partying but in [...]

Follow the Hunger Games in North Carolina

Suzanne Collins’ best-selling trilogy, The Hunger Games, hit the big screen on March 23rd.  The young adult novels are set in a post-apocalyptic world where the citizens of Panem (what used to be North America) live in twelve different districts.  Read more… This article will appear in the March 2012 edition of the Simpsonville Sentinel [...]

Immerse Yourself in the Past at Historic Brattonsville

Even though the South is steeping with revolutionary history, there are very few places that have the number of acres and buildings in one location that Historic Brattonsville does. With over 775 acres and 30 buildings it’s considered to be one of the most important and heavily visited historical sites in South Carolina. This article [...]

Discover Downtown Knoxville

To me, Knoxville was a city that I’d driven through but had never really stopped to explore until a recent trip took me into the downtown area. Located near both the Appalachian and Smoky Mountains, Knoxville is well-known for its plethora of outdoor activities but it also boasts a hip downtown area with arts and [...]

Ten Tips to Cut Your Business Travel Budget

I have traveled (and still do) a lot for business.  After all I am a travel writer!  Anyhow, I thought I would share some tips that I have gathered over the years on ways to cut your business travel budget.  While I’ve targeted this post for business travel, most tips can also be applied towards [...]

5K Obstacle Course Zombie Race

So anyone that knows me, knows that I am drawn to strange things.  Zombies in particular just fascinate me.  Well today as I was browsing the internet, I came across this.  There’s a company called Reed Street Productions that is putting on 5k obstacle course races across the country.  The part that makes this interesting?  [...]

Step Back in Time at Leiper’s Fork Village

The quaint town of Leiper’s Fork Village is located just minutes from Franklin, Tennessee but seems miles and decades away.  Located on the Natchez Trace Parkway, the crumbling walls aligning the roadway seem to transport you back in time.  Upon arriving in the village, we passed an old police car on the side of the [...]

Head to Beech Mountain Resort for Winter Fun

I have to admit that I had always thought Beech Mountain was just a ski resort, so I was pleasantly surprised on a recent visit to find a whole little town at the top of the mountain. Dubbed “Eastern America’s Highest Town”, Beech Mountain sits at an elevation of 5506 feet and offers amazing views [...]