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Montpelier exterior four columns and red brick house in front of trees

Five Presidential Homes in Virginia You Can Visit

There are nine presidential homes in Virginia, and I visited several. The homes belonged to President George Washington (Mt. Vernon), Thomas Jefferson (Monticello and Poplar Forest), James Madison (Montpelier), and James Monroe (Highland). William Henry Harrison’s Berkeley Plantation and John Tyler’s Sherwood Forest Plantation are not open to the public. Less formally, there is also Theodore Roosevelt’s rural cabin (Pine Knot) and the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum. When I spent a month visiting the Commonwealth state, I didn’t...

Red brick Yorktown Sign with white letters

Journey through Time at Jamestown, Williamsburg and Yorktown

In Virginia, they call Jamestown, Williamsburg and Yorktown the “Historic Triangle” because these three iconic colonial towns are within a few miles of each other. If you mapped them, the space between them would form a triangle. This makes them a perfect couple-of-day adventure for anyone interested in American history. Even if you’re not already a history buff, you’re bound to leave with new insight and appreciation you never expected. I spent two days exploring Jamestown, Williamsburg and Yorktown. History...

Exterior view of Mount Vernon house

Visiting George Washington’s Mount Vernon

Mount Vernon, the home of America’s first president, is one of the most popular places to visit in America. Each year 1 million people tour George Washington’s Mount Vernon, making it a top United States attraction. I recently took a tour and was surprised by how many things there are to do. Mount Vernon is special because it was the beloved home of America’s first President and an American landmark. More than that, it’s historically essential preservation of colonial America...

Monticello exterior with people walking up

Visiting Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello and Poplar Forest

As a nomad, I frequently detour on my travels to view the homes of writers and artist offering tours. It goes without saying when I was near the homes of Thomas Jefferson – Monticello and Poplar Forest – I stopped. As the author of the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson is one of the most revered writers of the United States. He’s also a genius and polymath, cultivating much knowledge and many skills. Like most founding fathers, he was also an...

Old Salem Moravian Settlement sign and fence
A yellow seashell "shell" gas station

4 Must See Roadside Attractions in North Carolina

If you’re visiting North Carolina anywhere near Winston-Salem, you’ll notice the roadside attractions – and you’ll definitely see them because they’re too big to miss. I only stayed in the area a few days, but by the end of the second, I’d spotted a theme: BIG novelty architecture objects on the side of the road. There are several that I stumbled upon and maybe more that I didn’t. Here’s what I found. 1 BIG Coffee Pot In Old Salem, the...

Rene in front of the Fort Matanzas National Monument

Visiting St. Augustine, Florida; America’s Oldest City

There’s a lot of flash in St. Augustine, Florida. There’s music playing from seaside cafes and long haired retirees driving by on trikes and bikes. There are oodles of people wearing swimsuits with subtle coverups, and the scent of suntan oil wafts on the breeze. Local shops sell brightly colored swimwear and kitschy souvenirs that say things like “Life is better at the beach,” while children are chased by their parents as they cross the brick-lined streets. It’s loud, busy,...

Boone Farm Plantation allee with live oaks

3 Unique Charleston Plantations Worth Visiting

South Carolina isn’t as known for its Charleston Plantations as it should be. Most people know about its historic colonial architecture, coastal seafood, and the old southern way of life. Still, it should also be known for its preservation of history through a series of stunning plantations. While I was in the area for more than a month, I visited three unique plantations that preserve important pre-civil war history. While plantations are representations of our grim past with enslavement, they’re...

Flower stand in a truck in Bluffton, Georgia

The Best of Savannah: 21 Things to See and Do

There are so many more things to do in Savannah than touring the squares and searching for ghosts, but those are two great choices. I spent six weeks in the city and explored many great places and spaces that make the region so spectacular. There are plenty of activities, day trips, tours and places to eat that will leave you happy, and I’ve highlighted some of my favorites. If you’re planning a weekend trip or longer, you won’t want to...

O'Connor house fireplace and painting of young Flannery

Flannery O’Connor in Savannah: House Tour

The life of Flannery O’Connor in Savannah was poignant and undoubtedly shaped her for the writing that would make her famous. I toured the Flannery O’Connor Childhood Home in Savannah, and what I learned helped me better understand the writer, the era and how she became a southern gothic novelist. Touring houses in the Savannah squares is one of the best activities many tourists participate in when visiting the city. It’s even better when it’s one where someone famous lived....