One of my family's favorite pastimes is hiking. Any free moments we get we are headed to the mountains of North Georgia, Tennessee and North Carolina to hike to beautiful overlooks and waterfalls. There is just something about a day of hiking; it is like pressing the reset button. The quality time we spend together on these days away from electronics and stress is just good for the soul. Having the beginning of the Appalachian Trail only an hour or two away makes it easy to find tons of day hikes and places to explore. For years we have been doing different day hikes together. I wish I had been documenting each along the way but sadly I haven't. I am hoping to remember some of these hikes and share them with you here. We have two young girls and a busy schedule so all the hikes below are short and most hike to something such as a waterfall. It helps motivate our girls to have something to look forward to down the trail. The pictures are in no certain order. They are just snapshots of our hiking adventures through the years. As you can see we love taking friends and family along with us on our hikes!
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Over the long holiday weekend in January a few friends and I headed to Blue Ridge, GA. This is a common get away for us. We love this quaint small town, how close it is to home, the beautiful scenery, the possibility of snow and just hanging out together in a cabin. This year we picked a smaller cabin since it was just 6 of us. The cabin really only slept 5 comfortably but we are good at adapting and overcoming so it worked out just fine. The cabin was very cute. It had a porch, fire pit, hot tub, was very clean, and had a little bit of a view. It sat on the backside of a mountain which required some interesting dirt roads to get to. It snowed a small amount during our stay and was very cold which created the perfect situation for sitting together around the fireplace talking and playing games.
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/20758947 Friday evening we all arrived from our homes around the state. Check-in was a breeze at the rental office in downtown Blue Ridge and they gave us the directions to head off to our home away from home for the weekend. As we wandered through the mountains it seemed like we would drive forever. As we neared the end of the directions we turned up a steep dirt road to head over a small mountain. We worried a little about our friend who would be arriving in the dark but these city girls managed to navigate the mountain roads fine and came to our quaint little cabin. It felt secluded but also had neighbors not far away which we liked. We settled in quickly, cooked some dinner and began some much needed relaxing. We loved that with a flick of a switch the fire was going in the fireplace. The only troubles we had were the rickety chairs that we all took turns sitting in, though each time you sat down you had this feeling you could end up on the floor. Saturday morning brought a tiny bit of snow and some very cold temperatures. After waiting on the ice to thaw a bit we headed back down the mountain and into town. In search of something warm and fun to do we were pleasantly surprised to find an escape room right off the downtown area. We completed the Black Beards Brig room. It felt challenging but then we escaped with 24 minutes to spare. www.escaperoomblueridge.com Breaking out of prison definitely works up an appetite so we headed just around the corner to Southern Charm. A home cooking southern style restaurant. www.eatsoutherncharm.com/home.html Our meal was exceptional. So much so, that some of the girls wanted to go back again before we left. I personally did not have the fried chicken but it was a huge hit with the other ladies. The menu states that it may be spicy. Two of our ladies are very sensitive to spicy foods and they found it to be delicious! We will be visiting here again! After lunch we headed down main street to walk off the heavy southern food and explore. It was bitter cold and windy! We hurried in and out of shops seeking shelter from the wind. Our first stop was the jerky shop; try the Maple Bacon Jerky. We ran into a few more shops before we decided we had enough of the cold and headed back to the cabin. The evening brought more games, laughter and fun around the fire. We played Oregon Trail, the card game. It brought back memories of our childhood as we each tried to survive the trail only to die suddenly of a snake bit or dysentery. We laughed at how we all loved going to the computer lab in school to play this game and how our children would be shocked and cry if they were playing with us. Sunday another friend of ours ventured up to spend the day with us. We started the day with a big brunch together around the small cabin table. Then we headed back into town. Our first stop was Mercier Orchards. http://www.mercier-orchards.com We usually go apple picking in the fall as a family when orchards are so beautiful with the colors of apples ready to pick. This time the orchard was bare which was definitely a different sight, but still beautiful in its own way. We headed in to check out the market and we surprised by the size. They had so many delicious things. Honey, Jam, apple fritters, apple donuts, small gifts, apples, even apple ciders and wines. They had a tasting counter for their apple ciders and wines. We asked if we could have our tasting over at the tables so we could talk and hang out and they gave us generous pours. It was decided that their granny smith hard cider was our favorite. Then we wandered around the large market buying treats and goodies for ourselves and our families at home. Thankfully, though it was still cold, the wind had died down. We went back into town to shop and see all the things we hurried by the day before. The general store has a unique collection of classic toys and every candy you can think of. We went by to check out the unique cupcake flavors at The Sweet Shoppe and sampled and bought some fudge at Three Sisters Fudge. We ate a late lunch at Harvest on Main in front of their roaring fireplace. http://harvestonmain.com We had visited and liked Harvest on Main on our last trip to Blue Ridge so we were excited to be back. I was surprised by their extensive bourbon selection which my recent adventure in Kentucky taught me can be tricky to find. Blue Ridge has something for everyone, even a very unique mug for one of our friends at Das Kaffee Haus. Das Kaffee Haus was a small, very busy coffee shop. The staff was extremely nice even though they were busy. They laughed with us as we joked about the mug and then cleaned and made our friends hot chocolate in her brand new mug! We sat and enjoyed our coffee and hot chocolate in the back of the coffee shop overlooking the train tracks that run through the center of town. Sunday evening was again spent around the fire playing games and laughing. On Monday it was time to head home. We packed up our cabin and took a few last minute pictures and headed back down the mountain. We headed south and before we split off in different directions to head home we stopped for lunch at Cantaberry in Ellijay, GA. It is a small downtown sandwich shop but the food was delicious. We ate large bowls of delicious soups and sandwiches piled hight with meats as we talked about the fun weekend we had and our next adventure. For my friends and I Blue Ridge offers so much. Shopping, great restaurants, beautiful mountain views, and much needed time to connect and be together. As mothers of small children we love this time to step away from the craziness of our everyday lives and pour into our friendships, remember fun times we have had together, make new memories and help each other through the trials of life. Adventure awaits in Blue Ridge, GA...Go! My husband has been a bourbon fan for many years. It has taken me a long time to get on board. I usually preferred something sweet or a good wine. However, in the last year or so I decided to give bourbon a try. It started little by little with cocktails that had bourbon in them with lots of simple syrup on top! LOL! Over time I came to appreciate bourbon. We decided for Christmas we would take a little trip to visit some of my husband's favorite distilleries in Kentucky. The day after Christmas we and another couple left the littles with their grandparents and headed to Bardstown, KY.
Bardstown is a cute little town that is centrally located between numerous bourbon distilleries. We picked an airbnb vacation rental in the cute little downtown area. www.airbnb.com/rooms/17608514?location=bardstown%2C%20ky&adults=4&s=YI0c4rte It was perfect for what we needed. It is a one bedroom/one bath but it did have a pull-out couch so both couples fit just fine. An extra bedroom/bath definitely would be more comfortable but it was Christmas and we were trying to save a little money. It was located above the downtown shops. All we had to do was walk down the stairs to the local tap room, coffee shop and local restaurants. The day we arrived we drove through the beautiful Kentucky countryside to our first stop, Wild Turkey Distillery in Lawrenceburg, KY. As we drove into the distilleries there was a sharp turn taking us over a large bridge over the Kentucky River and onto the Wild Turkey property. As we stepped out of the car you could smell the amazing aroma of bourbon being distilled. We decided to take a tour. It was a learning experience for me being the first tour. I learned how bourbon is made and how it differs from whiskey. All bourbons are whiskeys but not all whiskeys are bourbons! As you get to know me you will find out I love history! My favorite parts of the tours were the historical aspects. At Wild Turkey they allowed us to tour their oldest rick house. I love the smell when you walk into a rick house! At each distillery you can buy a candle that attempts to bottle this smell and while the candles smell good there is nothing quite like the real thing! We sampled 4 of Wild Turkeys bourbons and liquors while enjoying a view of the beautiful river and you got to keep your tasting glass. After the tour we headed to our loft in Bardstown. By this time we were starving and went in search of something to eat for dinner. Our first stop was the 3rd St. Tap House (which was directly under our room.) They unfortunately did not serve food but we were impressed by their bourbon selection and we knew we would be back! They suggested Mammy's Kitchen which happened to be just out the back door. We were impressed by the breakfast, dinner and bourbon selections at Mammy's Kitchen! After dinner we went back to the 3rd St Tap House and sampled some of the bourbons that are not easily found back in our home state of Georgia. Each of these places were just a minute or 2 walk from our loft. Though it was a short walk it was a bitter one with the wind chill temperatures dipping as low as -2 overnight. Luckily the snow and ice held off and we were able to keep our tight schedule of visiting every distillery we could in 2.5 days. The next day we started early with a drive to Four Roses Distillery. They were not actively distilling due to maintenance but we still had a chance to look around and do a tasting. While the tour guide talked very fast and was a bit hard to follow the tasting was a good experience and you got to keep your tasting glass. They even had a Four Roses prescription bottle from the days of prohibition on display! All you need is 2 ounces in hot water for whatever ails you! From there we went over the river and through the woods or at least a few beautiful horse farms to Woodford Reserve. Woodford was the most beautiful distillery we visited. They too were shut down for maintenance but they did give us a tour of the rick houses and the original spring that marked the place of the first Woodford Reserve distilling. Their tasting room was beautiful with a fireplace and even bourbon balls (so yummy) for tasting with the Woodford Reserve Double Oaked which quickly became my favorite sipping bourbon. As the tour wrapped up we decided to try the cafe that was in the gift shop. It wasn't much to look at but we all really enjoyed our meals and it kept us from having to venture off course to find a place for lunch. After lunch we headed across town to Buffalo Trace. Easily, the largest operation we had been to located directly on the banks of the Kentucky River. It was more industrial looking than the others but the gift shop was expansive. We signed up for a the E.H.Taylor tour not really knowing what we had signed up for. As we waited for our tour I was thinking that I wasn't impressed. Woodford was so beautiful and quaint it was definitely a switch to the large industrial operation at Buffalo. Our tour began and it was FREEZING outside. As we walked through the wind tunnels between the buildings we tried to stay warm. Our first stop was the original E. H. Taylor house. I loved seeing the horse hair they used to strengthen the mortar. A short walk to a garage door nearby and through a maintenance bay we stopped to watch a short film. We were standing over the original copper lined vats (no longer copper lined but they have plans to reline them as they once were). In 2016 they found the original vats under a concrete floor as they were beginning renovation for an event space. As a lover of history this was a very unique experience and I left Buffalo trace with very different perspective. At the conclusion of the tour we had a tasting of their basic line of bourbons and liquors. We ended our day in downtown Lexington, KY at a restaurant called The Village Idiot. We went there on a recommendation that they had great bourbon cocktails. In my opinion the cocktails weren't great but the food made up for it!!! Day 3 started at Pat's Place. A cute little restaurant just across the street from our room. We had a large, scrumptious country breakfast in front of a roaring fire before we headed to Heaven Hill Distillery which is also know as the Bourbon Heritage Center. They had a museum type visitor center where we learned more about the history of bourbon. Did you know George Washington was a distiller? We did not tour or taste at Heaven Hill (it was on the pricy side and it was early) but we did enjoy the visitor center and gift shop. A short mile down the road was Willet. We stopped in for a tasting. It was a small, quaint, family run distillery. Easily, the smallest but they gave a personal experience. We had a private tasting which was very informative and relaxed very different from the crowds at the larger distilleries. Our next stop brought us to where it all began for my husband. Years ago he became an ambassador for Makers Mark when it was just a small distillery tucked quietly in the little town of Loretto, KY. Today, it has grown into an impressive distillery while keeping the small distillery charm. We did a tour and a tasting. As with some of the other distilleries we visited they were not distilling. The week between Christmas and New Years is a maintenance week for many of the distilleries. Honestly, this was ok. The distilling process is mostly the same at each distillery but they each had something unique to offer. At Makers Mark any bottle you purchase you are able to dip in their signature wax for free. They also now have a cafe on property. We had lunch following our tour at the cafe and the food was exceptional as was the bourbon slushee. It was so good it didn't even matter that it was 20 something degrees outside. After a late lunch we headed from Loretto to Louisville. Leaving the small town behind to visit the urban distilleries of Angels Envy and Jim Beam. We didn't make it in time to tour or taste at Angels Envy which reminds me to tell you to look up the hours of any distilleries you are interested in when planning. They all have different hours but none are open past 5:00 or 6:00 in the evening. We stopped off at the very commercial Jim Beam Urban Stillhouse for a tasting. Then we headed across town to The Bourbon Bistro on the recommendation from someone back home. It did not disappoint. It had a large selection of bourbon and yummy bourbon cocktails. We really enjoyed our dinner and the bourbon. To finish off our last night in Kentucky we headed downstairs to the 3rd St. Tap Room again. Since it was a Thursday night the tap room was busier than the nights before but we still enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere after two busy days of touring Kentucky and all things bourbon! Our last morning brought us to the Four Roses rick houses. The Four Roses Distillery and rick houses are in separate locations. We had heard you can buy used barrels from them for a reasonable price. We were hoping to take one home, but after packing all our belongings and the bourbon we bought there just wasn't enough room in the car. LOL! On our way out we swung into the Jim Beam Distillery which was huge!!!! The tour was 90 minutes long so we opted out since we needed to hit the road to get home to our babies. In hindsight driving home the Friday after Christmas and before New Years was probably not the best of plans. It took us several extra hours than it should have to make it home but to us it was such a wonderful trip that it didn't matter. This trip taught me so much, made me realize how much I really do like bourbon (even straight) and gave my husband and I, along with our friends, quality time together doing something we all enjoyed. Adventure awaits on the bourbon trail...GO! Greenville, SC is a place that wasn't on my radar. It is just a short drive from our home state of Georgia, yet I had never been there. We decided to take a girls weekend in October to check out this unique city and we were impressed. Myself and 5 of my closest girlfriends stayed downtown in the Courtyard by Marriott. Though they were doing construction at the time, it was a fantastic place to stay since it was located at the halfway point along Greenville's Main Street within an easy walking distance from everything we were interested in doing. We parked and never had to get back in our car to enjoy the many sights and restaurants. We spent the weekend shopping, enjoying the sights and trying unique foods and cocktails at some of the local restaurants and bars (our favorites were the rooftop bars). If you are looking for a girls weekend away or a weekend with your honey, Greenville, SC would be a great location. In this blog I have outlined how our weekend went. Feel free to use our itinerary or make your own (don't forget to make your reservations ahead of time). There is so much to see and do! You won't be disappointed!
Friday- We had reservations for dinner at Nose Dive followed by drinks at Sip Whiskey and Wine Bar. Both had neat atmospheres, unique and delicious foods and good service. We especially enjoyed the beautiful weather on the rooftop at Sip. The hummus was good too! We ended the night on the rooftop at Ink N Ivy. I ordered their signature cocktail called Gentleman’s choice with Maker's Mark instead of Jack Daniels, I wasn't sure at first how it would turn out but it became my favorite drink of the trip! Saturday- We started at Starbucks just a short walk from our hotel. Afterward, as we wandered up Main St. we came upon Greenville's weekly (seasonal) Farmers Market. Many restaurants and local farms had farm fresh produce, soaps, meats, pre-made dishes and bakery items for sale. After enjoying the farmers market we shopped in the local boutiques along Main St. but most were out of our price range. The Mast General store was fun and had all the souvenirs we needed to take back to our children at home. We had lunch at a Takosushi. This was unplanned and we were a little unsure at first but it turned out to be a pleasant surprise! Cheese dip for an appetizer and sushi for lunch, an odd combination but oh so good! The afternoon led us to tasting local wines at Greenville Jerky and Vine. We were able to get our husbands some jerky and local beer pairings and taste several local wines all in one place. Just a few doors up is the Dark Corner Distillery where we also did a tasting and learned we love their Wiskey Girl Spirits and recipe ideas. After discovering the local wines and spirits we made our way to Falls Park on the Reedy. Just a short walk from our hotel in the middle of downtown is a beautiful waterfall, park and suspension bridge. We crossed the Liberty Bridge, a suspension bridge only suspended from one side. Though unnerving for some, it is has great view of the falls and is a must see! We savored the fall afternoon and quiet moments in a park, where we weren't having to chase our children, people watched and counted the multiple wedding parties as they took their wedding photos around the park. Later, we had a reservation at The Lazy Goat where we continued to count wedding parties! October is a popular month for weddings in Greenville it seems. It is a very unique, beautiful place so I guess I can see why! The food and service at The Lazy Goat was very good! My favorite food of the trip was their Brussel sprouts! We finished the evening with drinks around the fire at the Embassy suites' Up on the Roof rooftop bar! Afterward, we went back to Ink N Ivy in hopes of a little dancing. The line to the dance club was way too long for our taste so we just had a drink in the 2nd floor bar where you could hear the dance music. This worked for our group of mostly non-dancers. Overall it was a full day of fun, food, and friends! Sunday- Sunday brought our trip to a close but not before we had a wonderful brunch at Tupelo Honey. Our breakfast was delicious and the service was the best of the weekend. Like all the restaurants we had visited through the weekend the portions were large and easily shareable for those in our group. After breakfast we went back to Mast General Store one last time to get souvenirs for anyone we forgot to buy for! Then, we made our way back to our hotel where the cars were waiting for us. One of my favorite parts of the weekend was being able to park and walk everywhere. No designated drivers or trying to navigate unfamiliar downtown roads. As we left Greenville we stopped in to say hi to a friend we hadn't seen in a while! We visited a Starbucks on the outskirts of town sitting together for a while and just catching up! This was a weekend we wont soon forget! Adventure awaits you in Greenville, SC.....Go! |
Vanessa MillerWe are a family that loves to travel. Any chance we get we are off on an adventure. We want to remember and share them all here with you! We hope that our adventures inspire you to have your own with your family and friends. Archives
August 2019
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