When “trailer” and “palace” are in the same phrase, I’m SOLD. This outlandish California resort, consisting of 11 Instagram-heaven trailer rentals just made big news. Yep, it was revealed in court that Johnny Depp and Amber Heard shacked up at the Hicksville Trailer Palace during a hot (as in heated) getaway a few years ago. But you don’t have to be a Disney film star to afford this experience.
Continue reading “Have You HEARD about the Hicksville Trailer Palace?” →
It was one of those impromptu weekend trips last month that took us to the brand new KOA in Blue Ridge, Georgia. Previously, trips to our favorite mountain village required a stay in a cabin or camping in an adjacent county. So we shouldn’t have been at all surprised when our three nights were finished and we desperately wanted to stay longer. Continue reading “Georgia’s Newest KOA is a Blue Ridge Mountain Gem” →
When I first learned a Great Wolf Lodge was coming to Lagrange, a rural town about an hour from Atlanta, I was initially underwhelmed. As one who needs mega overdoses of sunshine and foliage, I figured this would be just a cheesy (think Chuck E.) version of another steamy, packed indoor-water park. I finally agreed to go when one of my most beloved young relatives was celebrating a 7th birthday. Let’s just say that I had such a howling good time that I’ve returned twice in the months since. Continue reading “Wild Weekends at Great Wolf Lodge: How to Save, Splurge, and Splash” →
Visitors began flocking to the newly-opened section of the Margaritaville RV Resort back in May. Located just up the hill from a lakeside waterpark that bears some resemblance to Disney’s old River Country, the new RV area starkly contrasts with the old campground. Jimmy Buffett’s company, Margaritaville, took over ownership and management of the water park, campground and other amenities at Lake Lanier Islands in 2018. Although it is high-end (pricey), the improved resort is well poised to become a true vacation destination just 30 minutes north of Atlanta. Continue reading “Margaritaville is Making Big Waves at Lake Lanier’s New RV Resort” →
For those millions traveling more than two or three hours to get to Disney World, a large portion are rolling down I-75. Whether headed from Columbus, Ohio or Black Gnat, Kentucky, you’re likely to face that 380-mile long stretch of flat land below the big city. Once you’ve passed the world-famous Varsity in Atlanta, the terrain gets decidedly dull, with no cause for excitement until the Turnpike at Wildwood, signaling the final stretch. Yet off the beaten path are many unique eateries, scenic wonders, and historic gems. Here are a few stops along the way to consider for future trips. A few of them double as excellent places to spend the night. Continue reading “8 Must-Do Stops from Atlanta to Orlando: Enjoy the Journey” →
At first glance, a brief description of Savannah, Georgia sounds a little like Epcot. We’ll spend the day walking cobblestone streets, exploring nuanced cultures in romantic nooks, watching the evening lights on the water, and drinking magical concoctions and eating everything along the way. But Savannah is the real deal. In near Walt Disney fashion, it’s an idyllic planned city with every detail having a purpose. But these plans date back to the early 1700s, when James Oglethorpe persuaded the Yamacraw Indian tribe to move a little further north. Continue reading “Walking and Biking Your Way Through the Soul of Savannah: Georgia’s World Showcase” →
My best friend and I had just finished doing back flips on her trampoline (with no net) when she suddenly started calling her dog by the name of “Jimmy Carter.” I insisted that she had just “made this up,” and our argument continued through our dinner of Hamburger Helper. In Georgia, we thought it was a very big deal that we finally had a president, and our common residency somehow made us very special, too. The years went by, my friend moved away, Reagan was elected, and we all grew up and went off to college. In my mind, Jimmy Carter occupied the land of things influential but nearly forgotten – along with Andy Gibb, 45 records, maxi skirts, the gas crisis and my eighth-grade boyfriend. Continue reading “Sunday Morning with President Carter: An Extraordinary I-75 Side Trip” →
I scowled when Captain Bacon reminded me that I was no longer a spring chicken. It didn’t much matter that it was 94 degrees on the third of July, I was going to climb to the top of Stone Mountain. And hopefully, the other six family members would tag along. This was the most recent of our many camping (RV) trips to Georgia’s Stone Mountain, which is an absolute majestic wonder, but deeply scarred by its history as a centerpiece Continue reading “On Moving Forward and A View from Georgia’s #1 Campground” →
Long before Walt Disney visited central Florida, and long before Disney Springs opened a couple of years ago, a tiny fishing town north of Orlando was one of the top Florida tourists attractions. The town, Dunnellon, Florida, is relatively unchanged since its heyday. The town of fewer than 2,000 residents is not filled with hipster stores or farm-to-table restaurants. There are no quaint bed & breakfast inns, but instead – very dated but functional 1950s fish camps and motels. What Dunnellon does have is two natural wonders that are superior to anything that man (including Disney) can make. I often wonder if Walt had visited this area if Walt Disney World might have been located about 90 miles northwest of Orlando. Perhaps it is better that it remains off-the-beaten path.
There are many springs to enjoy in areas north of Orlando, but Rainbow Springs is a true paradise. With crystal clear water that goes down 250 feet, the springs are now a popular watering hold and part of the River Springs State Park. In the 1930s, the springs became one of Florida’s first theme parks (along with Silver Springs and Cypress Gardens), complete with a hotel and a zoo. Continue reading “Lost in Time: The Hidden Paradise of Rainbow Springs & The Withlacoochee” →
