Read more about the article Dunaway Gardens – Newnan, GA

Dunaway Gardens – Newnan, GA

I read about Dunaway Gardens from an Atlanta blog called 365AtlantaTraveler several years ago. When I looked up Dunaway Gardens’ hours, they were only open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in the springtime and then closed for the summer months. I always intended to visit, but would get busy and forget about it.

Fortunately last week I happened to look at the website again. They were only open on Saturdays during the month of May before closing for June, July and August. If I was going to visit, it would have to be now. (more…)

Read more about the article 24 Hours in Nashville

24 Hours in Nashville

We wanted a quick getaway and since Nashville is only about a 4-hour drive, it was the perfect choice. Because of other commitments, we weren’t able to get up there until Saturday afternoon. It turned out to be a good thing as Vanderbilt’s Homecoming football game against University of Georgia was earlier that day so we didn’t have to fight traffic and crowds.

The Hermitage – Home of President Andrew Jackson

The Hermitage – the sprawling plantation of 7th U.S. President Andrew Jackson lies on the eastern outskirts of Nashville. The visitor center had a large exhibit called Andrew Jackson: Born for a Storm. In it we learned all about Jackson’s meager beginnings to becoming a large plantation owner, his political career and his role in the War of 1812 – especially in the Battle of New Orleans. (more…)

Read more about the article Big Bend National Park, TX Itinerary
Between Alpine and Terlingua

Big Bend National Park, TX Itinerary

After reading Texas Monthly for years, I’ve always wanted to visit Big Bend National Park in Texas. But it is hard to get to – and that may be the appeal for many. In fact, its one of the least visited of the National Parks.

Big Bend is located far west Texas – the part that’s under New Mexico. The park offers a place to hike, bike, fish, camp, whatever you want and it’s absolutely beautiful. But it’s 653 miles from Houston where we go to visit family. We chose to add a few days after Christmas and make the drive from Houston.

We found a reasonable room at Terlingua Ranch Lodge. Although Terlingua sits three miles from one of the park entrances, the ranch was about 30 minutes north of the park.  That seems far, but in reality it was one of the closer places to stay as Alpine is an hour and a half (83 miles) and Marfa is 2 hours from the park. (more…)

Read more about the article Caverns of Sonora – Sonora, TX
Caverns of Sonora

Caverns of Sonora – Sonora, TX

Compared to our rustic accommodations in Big Bend NP, the Best Western Sure Stay in Sonora seemed luxurious. We had a TV, microwave, refrigerator, wi-fi and a hairdryer! The waffle maker at breakfast even boasted Texas-shaped waffles.

We arrived at Caverns of Sonora in time for the first tour that began at 9:45. Raphael, a college student from Texas Tech, led our group of 11 inside the cave. As we walked through the tunnels of rock walls, he explained that the cave was discovered in 1905 the owner’s dog followed a raccoon inside the entrance. However, it wasn’t until the 1950’s that several explorers traversed a previously blocked section and discovered another five miles of the cave system. Plans were soon undertaken to put in walkways and electric lighting and the caverns opened to the public in 1960. (more…)