Category Archives: Lists

Oct18

Twelve Remarkable Childhood Travel Memories

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As a result of starting this blog and reading other travel blogs, I have a burning desire within me to travel the world. I’ve been dreaming about traveling the world a lot recently, but I have always felt like it is just that — dreaming.

Recently, we had the pleasure of eating dinner at my parents’ house when gap years became the topic of conversation. It’s really not something I ever considered prior to becoming engaged in the travel blogoshere. In the past few months, I’ve entertained the idea, but I never gave it serious thought since I figured my friends and family would tell me it’s impossible or that it’s a silly idea. To my surprise, my father actually brought up the idea and before I knew it both of my parents were telling us that we should really consider taking a gap year sometime in the middle of our careers. That conversation made me realize that a gap year doesn’t have to be a dream — it can become a reality. I’m not going to take any actions right now, but I’m sure in the not too distant future I’ll begin saving for my gap year.

As I was dreaming of the future, my mind quickly wandered to the travel memories of my past. Before long, I was laying in bed thinking about all the amazing places my parents took me as a young child. No, they didn’t take me around the world, but they did take me all over the United States which, in my childhood, felt like the world. Every trip we took was an amazing experience and, quite frankly, I didn’t care about the rest of the world. Funny how things change.

I will cherish these 12 trips for the rest of my life, not to mention the dozens of other trips I’m not writing about.

  1. Visiting Disneyland, even though I only remember two rides: It’s a Small World and Splash Mountain. Oh yeah, I also remember watching my sister go up to Stephanie Tanner (Jodie Sweetin) from “Full House” to ask for an autograph. All I know is that her famous phrase on “Full House” was “How rude!” and in real life, she was quite the snob. How rude!
  2. Coooling off at Sliding Rock Park in Sedona, AZ on a road trip from California to Texas.
  3. Taking in the dramatic scenery at Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
  4. Riding a ferry out to Alcatraz Island in San Francisco, California.
  5. Enjoying the breathtaking beauty of the Grand Canyon in Arizona.
  6. Enjoying the scenic 17-mile drive in Monterey, California.
  7. Snowboarding and staying in a cozy cabin in Lake Tahoe, California.
  8. Riding the High Roller and Big Shot on the Stratosphere in Las Vegas, Nevada (I’m a thrill-seeker, but those rides were a little too scary for me).
  9. Camping in Yosemite: Unlimited hiking, mountain biking, and bear sighting (no joke; a hungry bear broke into our van once).
  10. Driving a dune buggy for the first (and last time) at age 12 on the sand dunes in Oregon. Memory maker: crashing into a stop sign before I left the parking lot.
  11. Horseback riding in Mammoth, California.
  12. Fishing in Colorado (minus the whole jumping into the freezing cold lake in order to fetch the fishing pole I sent flying into the water — not the brightest idea).

I can only hope one day I am able to spoil my children with memorable trips/vacations.

P.S. Sorry about the poor quality of the photos. They are scanned images!

~ Lyndsi

Sep18

Our Five Favorite Fall Drives in North Carolina

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Fall is wonderful for five things: football, running, pumpkin spice lattes, killer boots, and beautiful North Carolina mountain drives. Some of our favorite drives are below … hopefully our readers love drives, if not, I’m so sorry this post is going to bore you. I hate that we don’t know much about our readers, but I can only hope you guys like our content! 

  1. Blue Ridge Parkway – This drive is by no means off the beaten path, unless of course you’re comparing it with the streets of Downtown Manhattan. Blue Ridge Parkway draws 15+ million visitors each year, making it the National Park Service’s most admired attraction. Even though millions of visitors take a journey on the Blue Ridge Parkway each year, when we drive it, we feel we’re among the few that are actually enjoying it. There’s no congested traffic, but we do occasionally get stuck behind a slow-moving vehicle. That’s not terrible, since we drive the Blue Ridge Parkway to enjoy the views of the beautiful vistas. Marc has never driven the M3 like it is meant to be driven while on the Blue Ridge Parkway. At least not with me as his passenger. It’s an absolutely beautiful drive and I highly recommend all leaf-lookers take a journey on this road. After all, traveling should be about the journey, not the destination. Note: take time to stop at the overlooks. Each one offers a very unique stunning view.

  2. Tail of the Dragon (TOD) – I don’t even know where to begin. This road is absolutely ridiculous as a passenger in a vehicle. At least as the passenger in a M3 with Marc behind the wheel. Located on the border of North Carolina and Tennessee, TOD is America’s number one motorcycle and sports car road with 318 curves in just 11 miles. If you go mid-day, you’ll barely move faster than an old lady in a walker due to traffic, but if you arrive early in the morning, you can get a clean run (ladies: a “run” means a clean drive without having to tap your breaks because some leaf-looker is in front of you, just in case you don’t already know; it took me a few times to catch onto the lingo). Despite my instincts routinely telling me I am a complete moron for riding in the passenger’s seat, I thoroughly love drives on the TOD. It’s an adrenaline rush and I am an adrenaline junky. Although, it’s not about how fast you go (and I recommend not going fast), it is simply how well you handle the curves. Notes: TOD is a dangerous road. Do not cross over the double yellow lines and be extremely cautious. There are tons of bikers on road, so keep your eyes peeled for them, as well.  An air lift out of the place cost one driver $19,000, so that’s just another reason to play it safe.

  3. Cherohalah Skyway – Located near the TOD (making a glorious loop), I love Cherohalah Skyway for its 60 miles of remote, scenic mountain views. It’s an amazing road with swift, wide turns. In some aspects, I enjoy it more than the Blue Ridge Parkway since you can drive faster while still looking at the gorgeous scenery. Being the passenger on this road makes me want to kick Marc out of the driver’s seat, so I can know what it feels like to drive a sports car on this skyway! Maybe this fall, Marc? Note: this road can also be dangerous. There was a tragic fatality on it this month, September 2011. While you can drive faster on it than the first two drives I mentioned, take it easy, as the road can be tricky.  The turns can sneak up on you. There are more car fatalities on the Cherohala than TOD. 
  4. Whitewater Way – I’d be lying if I said I’ve actually driven this, but it’s one I will experience this fall. If I’m not mistaken, Marc has driven at least some of this road with his car friends. I can’t wait to experience the vivid fall color amidst a stunning backdrop of numerous waterfalls. I’ve heard it’s the most striking and lively scenery in North Carolina. Notes: bring your camera! I’ve seen incredible pictures from friends who have been on this drive.
  5. Nantahala Byway – Forty-three miles of road make up the Nantahala Scenic Byway within the Nantahala National Forest. Areas of interest include the Nantahala Gorge, Cherokee Indian Reservation, Great Smokey Mountains National Park, and Fontana Lake. If whitewater rafting, kayaking, or canoeing is your niche, then the Nantahala River will sure please you. Notes: wear active clothing and make this trip memorable by doing outdoor activities! As with my other notes, please drive safely!

What are you favorite fall drives in the United States? Or in the world? Marc and I would die to drive on the Autobahn (and will someday, Marc claims, when he does a European delivery of a new BMW).

~ Lyndsi

Aug4

20 Things to Do in the Queen City (Charlotte, NC)

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U.S. National Whitewater Center – An active person’s oasis. USNWC is located just 10 minutes outside of uptown Charlotte and offers a plethora of outdoor activities. I enjoy stand-up paddle boarding, whitewater rafting, running trails, and kayaking. Other activities include ropes courses, zip lines, canopy tours, mountain biking trails, and rock climbing. USNWC also has fun events throughout the year. We are going to the Whitewater River Jam Uncorked event this month, which features live bands and a $20 wine tasting.

USNWC River’s Edge Bar & Grill has great food and an excellent selection of draft beers, so be sure to check it out.

What you need to know: Parking costs $5; an All-Day Sports Pass costs $49; no outside food or beverage allowed; pet-friendly; nice bathrooms and showers.

Blumenthal Performing Arts Center – Perfect for those who have an interest in performing arts. I have been awed by every show I have watched. I love that I can get a taste of Broadway right here in Charlotte.

What you need to know: Charlotteans tend to dress up when going to the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center. Dress with class. I recommend parking at the Hearst Tower. It is nearby and you can get $5 preferred parking if you purchase your parking with your tickets or if you purchase the parking at the theatre before you return to the garage.

Bechtler Museum of Modern Art – Don’t miss visiting this museum. It features works by the most influential and important artists of the 20th Century. We visited during a BMW 5-Series unveiling party, so we benefitted from the extra fun of having wine and hors’devours.

What you need to know: Admission is $8 for adults; it’s closed on Tuesdays; hours are typically 10 AM-5 PM; receive discounted parking at the Levine Center for the Arts garage located at 550 South Tryon Street.

Southend – Famous in Charlotte for its eclectic vibe and renovated factories. The Design Center in South End features a vibrant mix of shops, restaurants, and galleries. My favorite restaurants include: Pike’s Soda Shop, The Liberty, and Sullivan’s Steakhouse.

What you need to know: Parking is plentiful; you can walk most places; LYNX trains zoom through South End to uptown; on 1st Friday of each month, Southend has a Gallery Crawl.

The EpiCentre – This is uptown Charlotte’s center for nightlife. Conveniently located near the Charlotte Bobcats Arena, this area has plenty of restaurants, clubs, and even has an upscale bowling alley. (Fun fact: Dale Earnhardt, Jr. is the owner of Whiskey River).

What you need to know: Parking is $10 in the epicenter parking garage; travel with women if you want to get into the night clubs; dress to impress.

SouthPark Mall –The Carolinas’ best source for luxury fashion and casual staples. Shops include: Burberry, J. Crew, Kate Spade, Lacoste, Louis Vuitton, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Tiffany & Co., and Urban Outfitters.

What you need to know: SouthPark is easy to get to from I-77; there are additional shops and restaurants in The Village at SouthPark located next to Crate and Barrel (we recommend dining at The Cowfish if you like burgers and/or sushi).

Lake Norman – Known best in the summer time for its “Party Cove,” Lake Norman is a great spot to mingle and have some fun. Rent jet skis to get in on the Party Cove fun. Lake Norman State Park is also worth a visit if you can’t get out on the water. It features a sand beach, campgrounds, and hiking and biking trails.

What you need to know: It takes 30-45 minutes to get to, depending on where you stay in Charlotte.

Montford Drive – A place best known for attracting fraternity boys and sorority girls, or at least those who look and act like them. It’s an area that crawls with nightlife fun without having to be in the heart of uptown. Everyone in Charlotte seems to agree that Good Food is a favored restaurant in the area.

What you need to know: Cops patrol the area in abundance; park at one bar/restaurant and you can easily walk to others.

The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery – Located in south Charlotte, this brewery produces all natural, premium beer. We suggest getting a glass of OMB Copper.

What you need to know: Closed on Sundays and Mondays; tours offered on Saturdays, brewery also serves some food.

Uptown’s Little Sugar Creek Greenway – We love jogging this greenway since it takes us from the suburbs to the skyscrapers. It’s also perfect for walkers and bikers.

What you need to know: Bugs can be horrible on the greenway (run with your mouth shut and sunglasses on); enjoy the greenway with a friend since some areas are desolate.

NC Music Factory – Although it’s not our favorite spot, this area tends to be popular for the music and nightlife. It’s a little out of uptown, but once you park, you can easily walk to all the venues. We went to the Drake concert last year and had an absolute blast.

What you need to know: The preferred club here is Butter (“upscale”); arrive to the Fillmore early if you want to a good view of the concert.

Metropolitan – An urban mixed-use community; features condos, restaurants, shops, and large retailers such as Best Buy. Metro offers some of the best views of our beautiful QC. We recommend dining at Pisces Sushi Bar or Dressler’s.

What you need to know: There is plenty of parking and it’s FREE!

Phillips Place – A place for those who truly love the finer things in life. Phillips Place has outstanding restaurants, a movie theatre, Dean & Deluca wine bar, and many specialty shops. The fountains, flowers, and benches make this area one of my favorite places to visit.

What you need to know: Parking can be a pain; the shops and restaurants are expensive, so if you’re on a tight budget, this place isn’t for you.

The VanLandingham Estate, Morehead Inn, Duke Mansion – All three of these historic residences feature breathtaking elegance. They are also all bed & breakfasts.

What you need to know: I don’t even know what you need to know. Just go!

Crowder’s Mountain – Another fun place to visit for those of you who enjoy the great outdoors. This state park has wonderful hiking trails and also has rock climbing. I absolutely love the views at the peak and enjoy watching raptors soaring in the sky.

What you need to know: It’s about a 45-minute trip from Charlotte; pet-friendly; bathrooms located at trailheads; don’t take the trail with the stairs if you’re out of shape.

Wing Haven Gardens – Located in affluent Myers Park, this has been a unique area of Charlotte since 1927. The gardens and bird sanctuary span three acres and are enclosed by brick walls.

What you need to know: Admission is $6 for adults; convenient parking; only open Tuesdays (3-5 PM), Wednesdays (10 AM-12 PM), and Saturdays (10 AM-5 PM).

Shelton Vineyards – This isn’t exactly close to Charlotte, but I’m a bit of a wino, so obviously I have to include a vineyard on the list! It’s absolutely gorgeous and there are plenty of tasting options to choose from.

What you need to know: Nearly two hours from Charlotte; tastings will cost you $5-$40 per person; the tour is well worth your time.

NoDa: Charlotte’s Historic Art District – Great for the artsy types who love to peruse galleries and fun little performance venues. Visit NoDa on the 1st or 3rd Friday of the month to experience NoDa’s unique street scene, the Gallery Crawl. (Fun fact: Marc and I had our first date at Cabo Fish Taco in the NoDa neighborhood)

What you need to know: Parking is tight and may be difficult to find. Lots of live music and dive bars. The surrounding area is rough, though.

Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre – Enjoy a concert at Charlotte’s open-air music venue. This amphitheatre attracts the nation’s best musical performers. Marc and I went to the Zac Brown Band concert this summer … amazing.

What you need to know: Traffic can be a little rough, so go early to tailgate; drinks are outrageous (duh).

Historic Latta Plantation – Take a tour through this circa 1800 cotton plantation and living history farm. The guided tours are informative and well worth the money. Then head over to Latta Equestrian Center to go horseback riding around the plantation!

What you need to know: Adult admission is $7; Horseback rides are typically $25 unless you opt for a two-hour sunset ride, which will run you $65 (dinner included).

 ~ Lyndsi

Jul15

Bucket List: 30 Places Before 30

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Thirty places we’d like to travel as a couple by 30:

1. Germany — Oktoberfest definitely tops the reasons why we want to visit Germany. Millions of visitors, beer heaven, and delicious german food. Plus, I have strong German roots so I have a deep desire to learn more about my heritage.

2. Hawaii — What American doesn’t want to go to Hawaii? We’d love to take a scenic helicopter tour and swim with dolphins. (Lyndsi went March 2012 but we won’t cross it off yet)

3. New York, NY – We want to see it all! Perhaps visit on New Year’s to be in on all the craziness. Though Marc may not be feeling the huge crowds.

4. Lake Tahoe, CA – One of my absolute favorite places in America. We want to stay in an awesome cabin. Or perhaps we’d settle for this tree house.

5. Las Vegas, NV – I’ve been there, but I was too young to get the whole Vegas experience. Bring it on.

6. Louisville, KY – We visited as a couple in June 2011, but I’m dying to go back to watch the Kentucky Derby. We’ll have to make that happen. (May 2012)

7. Atlanta, GA – So I can watch a SF Giants game at Turner Field. I’ve been a SF Giants fan all my life and want to watch them play in Atlanta. We both want to check out Atlanta, so a baseball game will give us an excuse to take a quick road trip. Seeing the Coca-Cola museum would also make the list.

8. Grand Canyon, AZ – I’ve been here, but I’m dying to return to walk on the skywalk since it wasn’t built when I went. Marc’s never been.

9. Whistler, BC, Canada – I’m a pretty avid snowboarder. That’s all you need to know.

10. Aspen, CO – This town has it all. I’d pull out my snowboard on this trip, too.

11. Washington, DC – We’ve both been here, but not as a couple. We’d love to return one spring to see the beautiful cherry blossoms.

12. Outer Banks, NC – We’ve both wanted to visit the Outer Banks since we’ve lived in North Carolina. Hopefully this trip will happen sooner rather than later. (April 2012)

13. Lake Powell, AZ – This is my dream vacation. We’d love to get a group of 10 – 20 awesome friends to rent a houseboat and jet skis with us. It’d be the ultimate trip with friends. The lake has nearly 2,000 miles of coastline and it would be pretty much like boating in the Grand Canyon. The houseboat to the right would be a sweet option.

14. Chicago, IL – To experience the magnificent mile.

15. Napa Valley, CA – I’m a bit of a wino. This trip is an absolute must. (A bit? – Marc)

16. Bald Head Island, NC – We heard this is where all the yuppies vacation. We want in on that.

17. Boston, MA — To learn how to pahk the cah.

18. Austin, TX – It’s the live music capital of the world. Enough said. (October 2011)

19. Australia – Not sure we’ll make this one happen before we’re 30, but we’d love to!

20. Cape Cod, MA – No reason, we just want to check it out.

21. Alexandria & Mount Vernon, VA – Supposedly a great weekend getaway for couples.

22. Nantucket, MA – I read some girly novel based in Nantucket and now I want to visit.

23. Cape May, NJ — New Jersey is not all about waste management and the Sopranos.

24. Cumberland Island, GA – We want to experience the pristine maritime forests, undeveloped beaches, and wide marshes.

25. Atlantic City, NJ — The East Coast Vegas.

26. Alaska – I’m intrigued by all the wildlife. My ideal way to see Alaska would be via an Alaskan cruise.

27. Park City, UT – This would most likely be another snowboarding trip for me.

28. Yellowstone -  We want to experience Old Faithful and the hundreds of other geysers and hot springs. We also want to see all the wildlife and do all the fun outdoor activities.

29. Destin, FL – Just another beach we’d love to visit.

30. Panama City Beach, FL – Party like we’re in college.

What makes your list, did we miss anything?

~ Lyndsi