Destination archive
Domestic
United States road trips, national park weekends, beach escapes, and domestic stories beyond North Carolina.
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Showing 17 stories in this archive
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“Wherever you go becomes a part of you somehow.”
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All Domestic posts
Domestic / August 16, 2026
A Long Weekend in Beech Mountain, North Carolina
Beech Mountain is a little farther than we would normally drive for one of our High Country weekends, but we would absolutely make the trip again.
Domestic / July 25, 2026
From West Virginia to Grandfather Mountain: Discovering the Highland Games
Highland Games are not the most obvious choice for a family with no Scottish ancestry.
Domestic / May 31, 2026
Shenandoah from Raleigh: Old Rag, Skyline Drive, and a Week in Massanutten
For our May trip to Shenandoah from Raleigh, we stayed in Massanutten, drove Skyline Drive, hiked Blackrock Summit, Old Rag, and Bearfence Mountain, and found a pace that made sense.
Domestic / December 31, 2025
From Freeways to Foxes: A Channel Islands Excursion
After a work conference in Anaheim, the Channel Islands felt wonderfully far from Southern California traffic. Ferry logistics gave way to fox sightings, Santa Cruz Island trails, and a night under the stars.
Domestic / May 24, 2025
On the Freedom Trail: Boston and Concord, MA
Boston and Concord are better with friends showing the way. The history felt more alive at walking speed, moving between burying grounds, old churches, public gardens, and Walden Pond.
Domestic / April 1, 2025
Sustainable Travels: Conservation and Connection from Iowa to Utah
Across Iowa and Utah, the work travel felt more rooted than rushed. Farm visits, conference days, coffee shops, reunions, and conservation conversations gave the trips a purpose beyond the calendar.
Domestic / September 9, 2024
Discovering Hidden Gems in West Virginia: A Journey Home
West Virginia always feels different when it is personal. This trip was about sharing old favorite places, from mountain drives and coffee in Thomas to Blackwater Falls and Seneca Rocks.
Domestic / July 27, 2024
Christmas in July: Exploring Colonial Williamsburg and Busch Gardens During the Holidays
Colonial Williamsburg gave the weekend its quieter holiday mood, all wreaths and candles against brick streets. Busch Gardens Christmas Town brought the brighter, louder sparkle.
Domestic / July 2, 2024
Exploring Lexington, Kentucky: A Perfect Blend of Work and Fun
Lexington had enough room around the workday to become its own little getaway. The UK Arboretum, downtown murals, good meals, and the Distillery District made the extra time count.
Domestic / March 15, 2024
Embracing the Underrated Swamp: Congaree National Park
Congaree is worth visiting if you know what kind of national park it is: quiet boardwalks, swamp trails, huge trees, muddy paths, and a slower South Carolina weekend around Sumter.
Domestic / November 18, 2023
Manhattan Marvels: A Whirlwind Weekend of Parks, Plays, and Unforgettable Moments
This Manhattan weekend had the good kind of too much. Central Park was at peak fall, the High Line made a perfect morning walk, and the theater nights kept us going after our feet were done.
Domestic / November 5, 2023
A Hike to Remember: Our Adventures in the Great Smoky Mountains
Several days on the Appalachian Trail through the Smokies asked a lot of our legs and our packs. The fall weather kept changing, but the views are what stayed with us after the harder miles.
Domestic / October 20, 2023
Discovering the Heart of History: A Stroll Through Providence, Rhode Island
We came to Providence for a wedding and found a city worth lingering in. Rainy coffee stops, old-hotel glamour, riverfront wandering, and museum time gave the weekend more shape than expected.
Domestic / July 8, 2023
Exploring Nature’s Treasures: A Memorable Journey through Shenandoah National Park
Luray made Shenandoah easy to settle into for five days. Skyline Drive, short hikes, and Blue Ridge views did most of the talking.
Domestic / February 26, 2023
A Long Weekend in Tampa, Florida
Cheap February flights pointed us toward Tampa, where a simple warm-weather weekend stretched from river walks and museum time to a proper Cubano and a dose of Busch Gardens chaos.
Domestic / February 4, 2023
North Myrtle Beach, SC
North Myrtle Beach stayed simple in the best way. The weekend moved at shoreline speed, from Cherry Grove Pier sunrises to beach bikes, seafood, and a little shag dancing.
Domestic / September 26, 2022
New River Gorge National Park
Fayetteville put New River Gorge within easy reach of Cathedral Cafe mornings, bridge views, local food, and hikes that paid off fast.