I didn’t know I liked pinball three hours’ worth. But apparently…I really do. We popped into the Roanoke Pinball Museum thinking it’d be a quick, quirky stop- maybe 30, 45 minutes tops. But somehow, three hours flew by, and the only reason we left was because our stomachs were growling…
If you’re anywhere near Chattanooga and looking for a truly unique experience, make your way to Hales Bar Dam- home to Dam Whiskey Co. and one of the most haunted places in Tennessee. We recently toured this historic (and seriously spooky) abandoned powerhouse turned distillery, and it was hands down…
To start off our whirlwind of short stops through the southern U.S., we rolled into Mississippi with a goal in mind: check off another state highpoint. We set up camp for 9 nights at Tishomingo State Park, tucked away in the northeastern corner of the state. It ended up being…
Tucked away in the rolling hills of East Tennessee lies a place that feels like stepping back in time. The Museum of Appalachia isn’t your typical museum, it’s a living history village where the spirit of the Appalachian people lives on through handcrafted cabins, ancient tools, and stories etched into…
Zoo Knoxville surprised us in the best way. It’s smaller than some of the big-name zoos we’ve visited, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in heart, conservation efforts, and genuinely great exhibits. From the adorable red pandas to daily animal encounters and interactive play zones, this…
We spent a few days camping at Giant City State Park in March, right at the tail end of the off-season, and honestly, it was kind of perfect. We’d visited the park before in 2024 just for hiking, but this time we were excited to finally camp here and get…
Tishomingo State Park totally surprised us in the best way. With its rocky terrain, scenic trails, and laid-back campground, this Mississippi gem feels more like the foothills of the Appalachians than anything you’d expect in the Deep South. Whether you’re into hiking, disc golf, or just unwinding in the woods,…
After some time at home for a conference, we were back on the road again the second week of March. We headed down to southern Illinois for just under two weeks. Last year we started our full-time travelling in southern IL because we wanted to see spring ephemerals. We should…
We spent most of the winter at our home base in the Chicago suburbs and by mid-February we were itching to get back on the road. We had a conference back home the first weekend of March, so we couldn’t go too far, but we wanted to at least spend…
Our visit to Oak Ridge, Tennessee, was like stepping into a hidden chapter of American history. Known as the “Secret City” during the Manhattan Project, Oak Ridge played a pivotal role in the development of the atomic bomb, and today, it offers a unique glimpse into its mysterious past. We…