Abbeville, Edgefield, Greenwood & Ninety Six - plus an Upstate bonus: Spartanburg A field of brilliant sunflowers growing in South Carolina's Old 96 District, near Ninety Six. How many are there? Maybe a million and 96! This time of year makes me think of South Carolina’s Upstate mountains, slower days, and softer moments. Naturally, I’m also wondering when those green leaves will start...
A stunning 35-foot tall sculpture called Hydrophyllum (water leaf) at Greensboro's Gateway Gardens Greensboro is one of those places that keeps adding another layer every time you think you’ve figured it out—and every day can take you in a completely different direction. There’s a Revolutionary War battlefield, beautiful gardens, important civil rights stories, denim, museums, pinball, seriously...
Signs were hidden in Quilt Blocks: an amazing Juneteenth story. © Jo Clark History of Juneteenth By June 19, 1865, the Civil War had been over more than two months. That was the day Union soldiers rode into Galveston, Texas, and shared news that the War was over, and enslaved men and women were free. Juneteenth commemorates the day when the U. S. Army declared 250,000 Texas enslaved people...
The historic Hunting Island Lighthouse in South Carolina's Lowcountry. Beaufort and Bluffton offer two distinct sides of the Lowcountry experience, and barrier islands dance in between like the jewels in a crown. Beaufort captures your heart with historic homes, moss-draped streets, a beloved author (who wasn’t born in Beaufort, but loved it as fiercely as those who were), and magical waterfront...
The Best Places to Eat, Sleep and Play Ready for breakfast as the morning sun begins to color the sky over the Willamette Valley After eleven blissful days exploring the Willamette Valley's wine country, I can confidently point you toward exceptional wineries, unforgettable meals, charming places to stay, and a few experiences you might otherwise miss. I share all my favorite winery discoveries...