I'll be pregnant, so all those winery tours are out, as are water parks, roller coasters, going too long without food or bathroom breaks, and the such not. All three of us like hiking, the easy kind (again, pregnant), and other earthy type things like exploring caves, look-out points, etc. We are all interested in museums and historical sites. Mom and I really enjoy visiting historical communities, looking at old houses and antique shops. I get a kick out of anything supernatural and spooky, and I have a fondness for the strange tourist traps, like giant balls of yarn and toothpick houses. :)
If anyone has any suggestions for places we should stop, please let me know, so we can start planning our trip!
Ooh, sounds like a great trip! I grew up in South Carolina before moving to TX and the only real trip-like thing I remember, besides beaches which would be too cold, was hiking around the mountains in southern North Carolina. There were easier and harder trails, so you could pick which one, and the first time I went there my youngest sibling was 1 and she walked it, so it couldn't be TOO difficult. I'll see if I can find out which part of the mountains it was in. I know it had Devil's Peak at it (a rock formed by wind into the shape of Satan's head - I have pictures!), and we stayed there in a nearby rented cabin for full trip effect, fireplace and everything. It was awesome. :D
ReplyDeleteYou're planning a baby?? Wow ... I HAVE been out of the loop for a while. That's wonderful, Trisha! The trip sounds terrific. When you're in Virginia come through our neck of the woods -- the Shenandoah Valley. It's beautiful -- hopefully the autumn leaves will still be there. :)
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I've spent much of the last month or so planning my daughter's film studies curriculum for next year (English, Philosophy and Film) -- needless to say I've thought of you often. "Hmmm ... I wonder what Trisha would think about _______?"
Sounds fun! I recommend skipping Lockhart, SC... HAH. Do hit up Savannah, GA if you can though. Fantastic spot.
ReplyDeleteYou might enjoy Mammoth Cave in Kentucky.
ReplyDeleteHow did I miss that you're busy growing a person? What a terrible blog friend am I. Congratulations (much too belatedly, I'm sure)!
ReplyDeleteI've never paid a visit to any of the states you'll be visiting except for Georgia and that doesn't even really count because it was not a touristy occasion. So, I'll be no help at all, but I will have to pay another visit to this post to steal everybody's advice to you! ;-)
Hope you have a fab time!
Oh, that sounds lovely! I haven't visited those states, either, so I can't be much help, but I really like the idea of a road trip where you see more of the small, quirky parts of the country that you would miss on a long weekend trip.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could offer up some sort of advice as to what attractions to see but I am really bad at that kind of thing. I will be excited to hear all about it though!
ReplyDeleteI haven't traveled the South for a while either, but the idea of taking your time and enjoying the adventure is my pitch for your vacation! Enjoy.
ReplyDeleteVirginia has many Civil War sites and great, great free material on them (history, maps, guided tour info, etc.) from the Visitor's Bureau. They also have wonderful info on birds and mammals you will see in Virginia. It's one of the best tourism bureaus ever!
ReplyDeleteI can only offer Virginia suggestions, since the only other state on your list that I've visited is North Carolina. I went to the Outer Banks, and they took quite a beating when Irene came through so I have no idea what it looks like over there right now.
ReplyDeleteBut Virginia! I can give you Virginia suggestions. The Luray Caverns are pretty cool, and driving along the Blue Ridge Parkway is always lovely (especially in the fall). There are lots of scenic overlooks and hikes (of varying difficulty) along the way. If you do drive along the parkway, I recommend stopping by the Peaks of Otter and/or Mabry Mill. There are also Appalachian Trail access points along the parkway. The trail near mile marker 90 is pretty easy.
If you time your trip right, you can go to the Green Valley Book Fair (near Staunton). It's this warehouse in the middle of a field full of inexpensive books. I love it to pieces. They're only open a few weeks a month, though. (Their website is http://www.gvbookfair.com/.)
If you want quirky, swing by Roanoke. Not only do we have miniature Graceland (I kid you not), but we also have a giant neon star. It's totally cheesy but I love it :) The Taubman Museum downtown is a very odd building that looks kind of out of place next to the tradition brick buildings nearby, and most Roanokers either love it or hate it.
Yikes, didn't mean to write you a novel! Have fun planning your trip :)
If you like history - Williamsburg, VA; Wilmington, NC; and Charleston, SC. There will be walking involved in all three locations though.
ReplyDeleteSavannah and Charleston! Granted, they're the only two southern cities I've been to, but they were both lovely. Especially Savannah, which has a small, beautiful, old downtown area that is very walkable and filled with gorgeous old houses (like the Mercer House, setting of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil) and churches and mossy trees and lots of cute squares. So you can walk, and sit, and walk some more, and sit some more...
ReplyDeleteYou'd think I could contribute something for Kentucky, seeing as I grew up right across the river in Ohio, but alas, I've got nothing. I hope you get lots of other exciting suggestions!
ReplyDelete*DIES*
ReplyDeleteYou are probably taking the roadtrip I would LOVE to take. I keep nagging Scott to drive through Tennessee, Kentucky, Carolinas, Virginia--even Memphis is only 10 hours away from us I just discovered.
So, I don't have any suggestions (other than it would be badass if you could go to Savanna), but PLEASE share your trip with us?!
okthankyouverymuch. How are you feeling? Thinking about you...(inanoncreepyway)
Congrats on the pregnancy!!! I either read it and forgot or totally missed it. Either is possible. I'm very happy for you, that is awesome news.
ReplyDeleteAs for the trip, sounds lovely and the perfect time of year to do it. Sorry but I've never been down that way, but have always wanted to go to Charleston, SC. Rhett Butler and all that. The houses look gorgeous down there, plus Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil totally sold me on it.
I second the recommendations for VA especially Southwest VA.
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