Leaf Peeping on the Blue Ridge Parkway – Blowing Rock to Asheville, NC

Columbus Day Weekend – time to go leaf peeping!

This year, we only had one day for a jaunt up to the mountains. One day – not even a night – so we had to make good use of our time.

Heading out of Atlanta at 6:30 in the morning, we arrived in Blowing Rock, NC around 11:00 am.

Blowing Rock

The town of Blowing Rock is quaint – I know that’s an overused word – but it describes the town. Shops and restaurants line the main street through the town. Side streets boast inns and Bed & Breakfast places.

A full selection of fresh apples in Blowing Rock
A full selection of fresh apples in Blowing Rock

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Read more about the article Petit Jean State Park – Morrillton, AR

Petit Jean State Park – Morrillton, AR

It’s actually hard to write this post. Usually because I relish writing about my trip after the fact. But somehow I feel that if I write about it, I will be putting it to rest. I don’t want that trip to end.

Just a short drive from Little Rock lies Petit Jean State Park. Because the pickings are scarce in the AAA guide-book for Arkansas, I decided we better review what’s on the list. Petit Jean was the first state park in Arkansas, founded around 1921 with help from Stephen Mather of the National Park Service.

We started off at the point in the picture above. Overlooking the Arkansas River, we saw the remains of a building and a cemetery. It turns out this land was a former YMCA Camp Mitchell until it burned in the 1940’s. Later that decade, it was purchased by the Episcopalian church which leases the land to Petit Jean today. (more…)

Claiborne Farms – Paris, KY

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Claiborne Farm encompasses over 3,000 acres outside Paris, KY.

If you’re looking for the best tour of the Kentucky horse country, plan a visit to Claiborne Farms.

Located about 30 minutes from Lexington, Claiborne is a genuine working farm. Although tours must be reserved by appointment, they are offered every day of the week at 10:00 and 11:00 in the mornings.

The drive itself is worth it as you drive past large horse farms. The fencing alone costs inordinate amounts of money – some are wooden, but a surprising majority are old stone. This is old money out here and quintessential Kentucky blue grass. (more…)