Roanoke is the largest city and largest municipality in Southwest Virginia, and it is often called the Star City of the South—it has a nice ring to it, right? While Mill Mountain, crowned with a star, surrounds the city like a big blue hug, wrapping its arms around the Roanoke Valley. And that enormous star is right up there to remove any doubt about where you are!
Every good boy and girl learn the three Rs—but settle in—I want to teach you about the four Rs every good traveler to the Blue Ridge Mountain’s needs to know: Riner, Radford, Roanoke, and Rocky Mount. I'll guide you from a tiny speck on the map along a crooked road to a University town to the Star City of the South, ending up in the Moonshine Capital of the World. Buckle up, and let's hit the...
Rocky Knob AVA wineries (American Viticultural Area)are clustered along Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountain Range, close to the Blue Ridge Parkway. If this is your first time visiting the East Coast, for good times and great wine, I have three words for you: Blue Ridge Parkway. Road Trip!Rocky Knob AVA – Small But MightyChateau MorrisetteThe Dog Behind the WinemakerVilla AppalacciaCome to...
I set out to explore the Yadkin Valley Wine AVA (American Viticultural Area.) The Yadkin Valley AVA consists of seven counties in western North Carolina, with the Yadkin River as its Southern border. Nearby towns are Elkin, Dobson, Mount Airy, Pilot Mountain, and State Road (yes, that is the town's name!) Believe me, visiting the Yadkin Valley is a real treat! Plus, it is a short drive from...
The Old Orange County Courthouse was one of my favorite stops © Jo Clark Buena Park and Santa Ana are amazing to visit on their own. Still, when you combine the two cities, all I can say is WOW! Each has unique things to see and do, but you know I’m really just there for the food—well, and the drinks. Fun spots like Knott’s Berry Farm and nearby Disneyland, wineries, zoo, aquarium, and harbor...
A beach on North Island, a part of Yawkey Wildlife Center © Jo Clark Georgetown County, South Carolina, is blessed with four rivers, the Winyah Bay, the Atlantic Ocean, and two jewels of nature: Hobcaw Barony and the Yawkey Wildlife Center. Hobcaw means “between the waters” in a Native American dialect. The word Barony is simply a unit for measuring land granted by the King of England to...
Gwinnett County's BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir © Jo Clark Gwinnett County, in northern Georgia, holds sixteen distinct cities forming part of the metro Atlanta area, including Duluth, Buford, Norcross, and Lilburn. Gwinnett, second in size to Fulton County with Atlanta as its county seat, has a population approaching one million. Fulton’s population is nearly 1.1 million. The traffic isn’t as...
Do special food and beverage pairings live up to the hype? There’s only one way to find out. Take the plunge. You know how it works. There’s a cheery place where you like to hang out with your partner and/or friends. The food is good, the beer is cold, and the atmosphere is friendly. Ah, consistency. Then, your favorite haunt throws you a curve. Iron Hill Brewery in Greenville, SC © Simon Lock...
Soaring over Chemung County and the instrument panel of the glider © Jo Clark Harris Hill, near Elmira, is in Big Flats, New York, and is the glider-soaring capital of America. It is smack in the middle of the Finger Lakes. With an elevation of 1,709 feet above sea level, the view is spectacular, and winds are all but guaranteed. The location is perfect for so many reasons. The most important...
Ride through a vineyard to have the most exciting time in Sonoma! © Jo Clark Let me tell you how to have the most exciting time in Sonoma: go zipping through the vineyards in a motorcycle sidecar! I spent ten days in Sonoma County and the most fun I had (see that huge smile) was riding beside Jérôme. Jérôme Ribeiro is a relocated Frenchman, chef, tour guide, and gentleman. He is also hilarious....