The shore of Rosemary Beach

The pristine, white sand beaches of Rosemary Beach will hypnotize anyone whose ever gazed at their beauty up close. Despite their loveliness, the beaches are rarely crowded and it’s easy to get a sense of your own private paradise. I was tempted to just luxuriate on the beach, gazing at the turquoise waves but  one of the best ways to enjoy the natural beauty is to rent a kayak and glide along the Gulf Coast. Read More »

A guide to Savannah, Georgia with kids

Savannah, Georgia is a popular vacation destination, especially for people who live in the Southeastern United States. It’s a fairly inexpensive place to visit and there are several festivals and holiday celebrations throughout the year that draw crowds from out-of-town. However, many of Savannah’s most popular parties and tourist attractions aren’t well suited for young kids. The St. Patrick’s day parade, for example, might be a fun spectacle for children, but you probably don’t want your little ones spending several days (or even hours) among the constant flow of green beer drinkers. And while the Historic District is both historic and beautiful, it is also likely boring for many kids. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider Savannah as a destination for a family getaway.

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House on the Rock in Wisconsin.

Sometimes vacationers want to visit an attraction just to be able to say that they’ve been there. Some destinations are whimsical, silly, or downright odd. Others are firmly tied to the nostalgia and history of the area in which they reside. Here’s a list of the top ten(*) “novelty” destinations to visit in the United States. Consider checking them out if you’re ever in the area!

10 -The House on the Rock in Spring Green, Wisconsin. Unruly architecture that engages all of the senses, complete with exhibits, gardens, and displays that flow into one another with no rhyme or reason. Schedule at least three hours to do the self-tour, because the more you look the more you’ll see.

9 – The Mitchell Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota. This is the Mecca for corn enthusiasts (if there is such a thing). There is an annual festival, murals made of corn that are eaten by the local birds and replaced annually, and decor consisting of over 275,000 ears of corn. The Mitchell Corn Palace is home to area stage shows and sporting events with a year-round calendar of events.

8 – The World’s Largest Yard Sale headquartered in Jamestown, Tennessee. Also known as the “127 Corridor Sale”, this yard sale extends 675 miles from Hudson, Michigan to Gadsden, Alabama. The Sale always starts on the first Thursday in August and continues through the following Sunday.

7 – America’s Stonehenge in North Salem, New Hampshire. No one knows who built the ceremonial chambers, walls, and meeting places of this 4,000 year old complex. Oddly enough, the location also boasts a growing herd of privately owned Alpacas. Visit Stonehenge, buy an Alpaca. Makes perfect sense to me!

6 – Dog Bark Park Inn in Cottonwood, Idaho. The inn… is shaped like a dog. A beagle, to be exact. It’s a full-service bed-and-breakfast, and pets are welcome (of course). And if you’re a fan of chainsaw art, this place will supply you with more wooden dogs than you can shake a stick at (har).

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A stretch of Rosemary Beach

Spending days lolling around the Gulf of Mexico, unfettered by crowds, traffic  or pollution is just a portion of the appeal of the Rosemary Beach Community. This quaint, pristine enclave offers an eco lifestyle as well as old school relaxation, I was instantly charmed by the clean architecture and easygoing ambiance. Tucked into northwest Florida’s Gulf Coast, and named for the wild rosemary growing everywhere, Rosemary Beach is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. Read More »