Family Day Trip: Cornelia, Georgia

May 9, 2021 by The Traveling Four Leave a Comment

Hello, fellow travelers! If you are new here, Welcome. While heading to Tennessee we decided to linger a little bit in Georgia, to do a little bit of site seeing. Majority of the time when you are driving to a location your sights are set on your final destination, with maybe a few stops to the gas station in between. This time around I wanted to actually explore a few of the neighboring tourist towns outside of the Atlanta city limits.

Before the Covid-19 pandemic, I ran across an article about this quirky museum in Cornelia, GA. I am a huge fan of museums and no matter where I travel I will always look for museums to spend my time. Unfortunately, they were not only closed for the season, they were closed for the pandemic as well until further notice. I was so happy to see that they were opening May 1st.

Wanting to make sure we got the most out of our time while in Cornelia, I was able to come up with an awesome itinerary for the day. Here is how we spent our day in Cornelia, Georgia

Loudermilk Boarding House & Everything Elvis Museum

The Loudermilk Boarding House is the very reason I wanted to stop in Cornelia. Who doesn’t love the king! Voted Best Elvis Experience in the Guinness Book of World Records. Featuring over 30,000 items, which include pictures, clothing, potential toenail clippings, and the infamous surgically removed right handed wart. Crazy, right…but really interesting! Owner Joni Mabe was phenomenal in showing us around and pointing out cool things about the Legend and her extensive collection.

Be sure to visit the gift shop here to collect a few trinkets for your own collection.

The Big Red Apple

The Big Red Apple is a historical landmark marking the center of the town. The apple being created as sort of a homage to the rising apple industry in the town. Cornelia famously is now known as the “Home of the Big Red Apple”. A name of which they clearly run with, by hosting the Big Red Apple Festival yearly. The festival hosts car shows, hayrides, cornhole tournaments, carriage rides, live music, food, crafts and so much more.

Historic Train Museum

Learn about the Tallulah Falls Railways of Cornelia through this historic gem. The Historic Train Museum is conveniently located right next to the Big Red Apple. Inside the museum you can enjoy a free guided tour to learn about handmade train replicas, ticket artifacts, the original train dispatching area, and more.

On the outside of the museum you can view actual train tracks and two fully restored cabooses. Great for taking photos.

Bigg Daddy’s Restaurant & Tavern

Time to Eat!!! It’s easy to leave Bigg Daddy’s with a full stomach because of their monumental portion sizes. We were pleasantly surprised with all the food we were given, and it was delicious. Our table ordered the Drunken Mussels, Chicken N Waffles, The Balboa, and their famous Hickory Smoked Baby Back Ribs.

Bigg Daddy’s plays all major sporting events on their many T.V’s, so a cool place to hang out to watch the game. Check out our previous post for a full Review of Bigg Daddy’s.

Click here to see a copy of Bigg Daddys Menu Download

Sugartopia

What better way to end a meal than with something sweet. At Sugartopia we were able to indulge ourselves in some of the tastiest cupcakes we have ever had. They were so moist and I could not believe the price. My personal suggestions would be the Pina Colada, Oreo and Red Velvet cupcakes.

Chenocetah Tower

The last stop on our day trip through Cornelia was the Chenocetah Tower. What better way to end a joyous day than with breathtaking views of the Chattahoochee Forest. The word Chenocetah meaning “seeing all around” was built in 1937, and stands 1830 square feet above sea level. Chenocetah tower was originally used for fire observation, until 1971 when the building started to fall apart.

In 1984, the building was registered with the National Register of Historic Places. Now this landmark can be enjoyed by all. Due to Covid, the tower is not allowing patrons on the inside, but that shouldn’t stop you from visiting.

Keep in mind that there is no set parking, so be prepared to park on the street.

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A Weekend in Knoxville, Tennessee

April 11, 2021 by The Traveling Four Leave a Comment

When you think of Tennessee you think of high traffic areas like Nashville, Gatlinburg, or Chattanooga. Knoxville doesn’t seem to be high on the tourist list, but it should be. Knoxville is the third largest city in the state of Tennessee. Sparkling with energy and charm, better known for their historic sites and museums.

Below is a small compiled list of places to eat and things to do while enjoying a weekend trip in Knoxville.

Pictures are from the Strong Alley Mural Walk

Helpful Tips

Book a hotel located in the downtown area. Most of their well-known attractions are within a 3-15 minute walking distance from one another.
Downtown parking garages offer free parking on weeknights & weekends.
Free Trolley Rides – Knoxville has 3 different trolley routes to take you throughout the Downtown and UT area.

For more beneficial tips check out our previous post on tips for traveling on a budget.

Market Square

Market Square is the cornerstone of excitement in Knoxville, TN. Housing many of the cities best restaurants, bars, and unique places to shop. With its vibrant and bolstering nightlife, the square host many live concerts and outdoor movie events.

Don’t forget to visit the farmer’s market, on North Market Square near Wall Ave., for a taste of locally grown goodies.

Sunsphere Tower

The Sunsphere stands 26 stories tall, paneled with 24-karat gold glass windows. Making this the largest gold ball in the world. The observation deck offers 360-degree views of Downtown Knoxville, World Fair Park and the Smoky Mountains. This iconic attraction has become the “Free Thing to Do in Knoxville” Staple. Be prepared if you’re scared of elevators or heights it will give your anxiety levels a little jolt.

Tupelo Honey Café

When trying to decide what to eat for breakfast or brunch the Tupelo Honey Café should be your first option. The food here is beyond good! Ambiance, Presentation, Flavor…Tupelo is the place to go!

I ordered the Shoo Mercy Griddle which consisted of brioche French toast topped with buttermilk battered fried chicken, apple cider bacon, pecans and sprinkled with a hint of powdered sugar. Whew, it gives me flash backs just writing about it. My husband ending up deciding on the southwestern omelet with chorizo, avocado, cheese, salsa, sour cream & rosemary potato cracklins. If you have never heard of cracklins just come to Knoxville, and try Tupelo’s version.

I would suggest making a reservation online for this establishment, if you decide not to the food is well worth the wait.

Kilwin’s

Looking for something sweet after one of your gut busting meals visit Kilwin’s. Kilwin’s chocolate confectionery shop has locations throughout the eastern coast of the United States. Making over 75 delicious chocolate based treats. How can any person go wrong when chocolate is involved?

After a relaxing night stroll on Market Square we finished our night with a Georgia Peach Cobbler Milkshake, Rocky Road Marshmallow, and a Caramel Dipped Rice Krispy Treat with a chocolate drizzle. The yummiest sugar rush ever!

Stock and Barrel

Stock & Barrel has a retro, speak-easy atmospheric vibe to it. The food here is soooo good, I ended up ordering the spicy crab dip and wedge salad. The balsamic reduction on the wedge salad is absolutely divine. I could eat that all by itself, it was so good. While the food is delicious the drinks are even better. Do yourself a favor and order a glass of bourbon, you’ll thank me for it.

Don’t take my word for it just look at the reviews. No matter which platform you research they are all good!

Kabuki Restaurant

In the mood for some good sushi give Kabuki a try. Customer service here is excellent and super friendly. I was pleasantly surprised with the fast speed of service. My favorite was the house soup, which is a beef broth based soup with green onions and mushrooms. This is one of my go to soups at any sushi restaurant I visit but I can definitely say that Kabuki’s was by far the best I’ve ever tried. For the sushi, we tried the California and the crispy tempura rolls.

Calhoun’s on the River

Calhoun’s is where you go when you want a hearty meal. Something that will stick with you throughout the day while you sightsee. Once we were seated, we told our waitress that this was our first time visiting and she immediately preceded to tell us the history of the restaurant. Calhoun’s is voted the “Best Ribs in America”, that’s a pretty big award. We had to see if she was telling the truth, so we ordered a nice slab, and she wasn’t lying. They are deliciously flavorful and fall off the bone tender. Another must try is the Spinach Maria and Pulled Pork Nacho’s. The Pulled Pork Nacho’s were pilled high with moist pork, cheese and jalapenos.

We visited at night but I can assure you the river views are just as pretty at night as they are in the day. There is a nice little river path next to the restaurant for you to walk so that you can burn off some of those BBQ calories.

Tennessee Theater

Tennessee Theater, located on Gay Street, slaps you back into the 1920’s with its Spanish-Moorish style. The theater features many grand chandeliers, striking interior décor and an impressive stage. The theater offers free movies throughout the year, please check their calendar for availability.

Bijou Theater

Bijou Theater is similar in nature to the Tennessee Theater, by being another landmark theater in Knoxville, built in 1906. This theater features an abundance of various artists and film festivals. After a good show visit the Bistro at the Bijou, which is connected to the theater, for a light fine dining experience.

Ijam’s Nature Center

Ijam’s Nature Center offers 10-miles of walkable nature trails and a 25-acre quarry lake. This park is ideal for the ultimate nature lover. Ijams offers hiking, zip lining, swimming, fishing, cycling, paddling and canoeing.

While there we noticed many people and their families taking professional photos. There were so many optimal locations within Ijam’s that I could definitely see getting the family dressed up to showcase those beautiful smiles.

Knoxville Museum of Art

Knoxville Museum of Art should be top on your list of places to visit while in Knoxville. The museum is so relaxing and beautiful. Lovely exhibits which features a video documentary of the artists and their creations in the making. After visiting take a look through their gift shop which features lovely pieces from local artist.

Don’t let me forget the best part…the museum is free! Take a look at our visit in the video below.

East Tennessee Historical Society

Start this museum tour with a short video of East Tennessee before you venture onto other rooms full of valuable, interesting information. The Historical Society takes you all the way from the civil war on to modern day living. Enjoy viewing collections of old newspapers, city directories, maps, vintage memorabilia and more. You will spend at least 3 hours at this museum because of all of the exhibits and information available.

World’s Fair Park

Home to the Sunsphere, Tennessee Amphitheater and East Tennessee Veterans Memorial. World’s Fair is a peaceful park to have a picnic, listen to music, play with the pets (lawn areas only), etc..

The park is a great location to bring your family during the spring & summer months because of their splash pad fountains. Kids and adults can spend time running through the fountain sprinklers. Please be sure to read the splash pad rules before arriving.

Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame

Opened in 1999, the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame features many artifacts, highlights, memorabilia and activities for the whole family to engage in. We had a blast learning about women that paved the way like Lisa Leslie, Pat Summit, Teresa Edwards, “Magic Paula” and so many more.

It was pretty cool to be able to test our basketball skills on their skilled basketball courts. I can honestly say I’ll leave this up to the pros because I suck. This place is so big that you can easily spend 3 hours here just having fun with the entire family.

We would love to hear from you!
Tell us about your trip to Knoxville, Tennessee in the comments section below.

Worst Hotel Experience in Myrtle Beach

March 20, 2021 by The Traveling Four Leave a Comment

Hello, fellow travelers! If you are new here, Welcome. I am always eager to showcase the best, newest and greatest while traveling. While it’s easy to glorify that picturesque hotel with the gorgeous 180-degree views of the beach & mile long extravagant breakfast spreads. What happens when every trip is not like that?

Against my better judgement and advice the family and I wanted to take a quick trip to the beach just to relax and unwind for a bit. I am a planner and when I say this was a last minute decision it was literally a “Let’s go to the beach” statement and in less than 3 hours we were in the car and on our way. We quickly decided on Myrtle since we had been there a few times before (Once with the girls on a girl’s getaway & twice with my family on a family vacation) plus we knew the drive was pretty quick. We hadn’t been in the last five years, but we knew they had plenty of family oriented activities, in addition to many budget-friendly hotel options with oceanfront views.

Just like most travel planning, majority of a travel budget goes to travel and lodging. We knew that we weren’t going to be staying long so I decided to opt for a “Cheaper Option“. My #1 Tip for Traveling on a Budget is to Read Reviews. Well let me tell you I glanced at the reviews but the price tag reeled me in. Why didn’t I listen to my own advice?

When planning a hotel stay based vacation, my go to site is Orbitz. I have been booking hotels with them for the last ten years. Orbitz is a great travel booking site that offers many pictures and honest reviews of hundreds of hotels and lodging rentals.

When looking at the listing on Orbitz the pictures of the hotel looked fairly well. The amenities were a plus with the lazy river, Jacuzzi’s and heated pool, not to mention the full on ocean views. The price of the hotel, at the time, was only $55 a night…to good to be true, right? Right! I glance over the reviews and they are a little lack luster with majority of the reviews saying the same thing. Cleanliness is a no, Customer Service is eh, Property Conditions a means for pause.

Once again I choose cheap over peace of mind. We arrive at the Sandcastle Oceanfront Resort South Beach location. Family in tow we are ready to check in and head straight to the beach. Customer service was just like I said earlier, eh. Nothing but here is your room key and your parking pass. I couldn’t be mad at it.

Not sure what your remedy is but before we bring all of our items into a room, I like to check the room and spray all surfaces with a disinfectant. (I did this even before Covid). When we go in the room, you can instantly see that the room needs to be renovated. Everything looks outdated and worn.

**Kitchenette Area: Rusted Stove and Peeling Refrigerator**

The room itself looks as if it had been cleaned in 2 seconds. I called for someone to come and clean but no one showed up. I am so glad I travel with heavy duty cleaners (when traveling by car). The bathroom was so dirty and disgusting. The tub had black markings in it that I initially thought were permanent markings…until I cleaned it with bleach and realized that it had not been cleaned at all.

I can honestly say that it wasn’t all bad because the full ocean views were absolutely as pictured. If I could stay outside the entire time I would have.

For additional proof, it’s clear to conclude that I left this hotel a bad review on Orbitz.com and will not be using this hotel for any future stays.

A Weekend In Fort Lauderdale, Florida

March 9, 2021 by The Traveling Four Leave a Comment

When in need of a quick beach vacation visit Fort Lauderdale, Florida; known for its 23 miles of beautiful beaches and boating canals. Fort Lauderdale features an extensive list of hotels, restaurants and shopping locations with gorgeous beachfront views. In addition to a wide range of family-friendly outdoor activities that are a must try.

Although we only stayed in town for 48 hours, of course…we would have loved to stay longer, we were able to do a lot of fun things that didn’t break the bank. Below is a small list of recommended places to visit to make your short stay amazing.

For beneficial tips for traveling on a budget click on the post below

The Beach

Planning on traveling to Fort Lauderdale, then the first stop of a quick vacation must be the beach. The beach is free and super relaxing. While sunbathing on the beach, take a minute to listen to the waves. I feel it helps to slow the mind down and just decompress.

If trying to catch fish directly off the shore your chances are exceptional. There were a lot of small fishes that nibbled on our toes as we swam in the water.

Don’t forget the sunscreen while unwinding under those Florida sun rays!!!

Sonny’s Famous Steak Hogies

This part of Florida is not shy to the restaurant scene, with its abundance of restaurants and eateries. Sonny’s Famous Steak Hogies was featured on an entertaining episode of Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives. Clearly, if it is good enough for Guy Fieri then it was good enough for us. This place is obviously a hot spot to the locals with all the curbside and to-go orders flying out of the kitchen.

I ordered the # 90, which is a classic steak hoagie, with cheese sauce, and fried onions. I added on some mushrooms for a little extra flavor. It was delicious, I can see why people flock here in droves.

Jaxson’s Ice Cream Parlour and Restaurant

Jaxson’s is a must stop for families! The carnival atmosphere is sure to be a kid-friendly pleaser. Aside from the decor the food is without a doubt something you probably haven’t seen. The proportions served here will feed a family of four off one plate. Hot dogs are the size of a grown man’s forearm, fries are pilled a mile high, and the burgers were gut busting just looking at them.

Jaxson’s is known for their monumental ice cream sundae called ” The Kitchen Sink”. The Kitchen Sink has been featured on various televised food shows and we can see why. It comes with four pounds of ice cream of your choice, bananas, whipped cream, cherries, chocolate sauce, and chopped nuts served in their iconic replica of a classic kitchen sink. Served with two raging sparklers on top to add to the gratifying experience. We had so much fun trying to tackle this behemoth.

Bonnet House Museum and Gardens

Bonnet House Museum and Gardens is a lovely historical place to visit. Originally built in the 1920’s, this 35-acre estate features mature foliage, tropical gardens and an eclectic style house. There isn’t a section featured in this museum that you won’t want to take a picture of.

They offer self-guided for $20 per adult and guided tours for $25 per adult. Be sure to visit the gift shop.

Flamingo Gardens

Flamingo Gardens is a family friendly attraction featuring flamingos and other various species of beautiful birds. In addition to the birds the park features alligators, turtles, bobcats, panthers, and bears.

Some of the trademark trees and plants on display at the Gardens include, white silk floss trees, pink trumpet trees, panama, tropical hazel nut, African mahogany, ear pod trees, yellow poinciana and cluster fig.

Peacocks are abundant in the gardens. It amazed me with how up close and personal you can get to these amazingly docile creatures. There is also an all white peacock on the premises, but you have to catch him while you can. I really wanted to see those white feathers bloom but he was not in the mood. Well technically there were no females around for him to boast happily to. Enjoyable none the less.

Be sure to take the tranquil narrated Tram tour. The tour last for an hour and is very informative of the animals, landscape and nature that surrounds the park.

Downtown Hollywood Mural Project

The Downtown Hollywood Mural Walk is so fun, free and an absolute must do. It is a collection of beautifully painted murals, that can be found on the side of the local businesses and shops throughout Downtown Hollywood. Consequently, it becomes a game to see which buildings have murals and which do not.

There are guided & self-guided walking tours to see all the beautiful artwork. Depending on weather, I would recommend a self-guided personal vehicle tour. Stop by one of the local bars, grab a drink and get your cameras ready.

Click the link below to access a full copy of the Downtown Hollywood Mural Project Map

Mural-Tour-Map-for-participants-5-2020_202005271443531044 Download

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Georgia Hiking and Biking Trails

November 26, 2020 by The Traveling Four Leave a Comment

Amid the pandemic, Americans seemed to have started flocking to more and more outdoor activities. Hiking, Biking, Running, Outdoor Workouts and lots of other outdoor activities have seen an increase this year. Even the Traveling Four have upped the ante when it comes to outdoor excursions. We’ve been visiting some amazing hiking and biking trails and figured why not share our experience with you. There are tons of hiking and biking trails in Georgia and in due time we hope to experience at least most of them. Here are some of the best trails we’ve found so far.

Amicalola Falls State Park

Located in Dawsonville, Georgia this park is about an hour and a half outside of Downtown Atlanta. The name Amicalola is derived from the Cherokee language and means tumbling falls. This name is spot on for the area which houses the highest waterfall in the entire state (729 feet). In total Amicalola State Park offers 10 trails for your hiking pleasures. These trails satisfy various hiking levels from beginner to experienced. The parks most popular hiking trail runs 8.5 miles from the park to Springer Mountain. Springer Mountain is at the south end of the famous Appalachian Trail which measures 2,150 miles. The Appalachian Trail is definitely for the avid and experienced hiker because it’s no easy feat. Some of the other trails include Amicalola Falls Loop Trail (2.1 miles-easy hike) and Inn Trail (9.8 miles-moderate hike).

Amicalola Falls State Park is pet friendly (leashed pets) and requires a $5 Georgia State Park Pass. Overall this park is family friendly but some of the hikes may be a bit too strenuous for smaller children. Other activities at the park include catch and release fishing, zip-lining, 3D archery, camping, gps scavenger hunt, animal meet and greets and so much more. You can also lodge at the park if you need more than one day to experience all that Amicalola has to offer.

Pictures from Amicalola State Park. Waterfalls and hiking trails

Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area

View from hike to top of Arabia Mountain — View from one of the granite mounds

The Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area (AMNHA) is 40,000 acres of greenspace, granite mounds and historical sites. This area consists of both paved and unpaved pathways for hiking, biking, roller blading and jogging. Most popular is the Arabia Mountain PATH which spans 30+ miles. The PATH is located in the Dekalb County region about 20 minutes outside of Downtown Atlanta. The level of difficulty for this trail depends on your ability and at which point you enter. In my opinion the PATH was fairly easy to moderate because it is mostly flat. The only truly challenging portion for me was the climb up the granite mounds. The views from the mounds were breathtaking, no wonder it is a popular spot for photographers. (Interested in other great photoshoot locations check out our Fall photoshoot article)

AMNHA is open during the week and on the weekends and has a few free parking areas. You can also access Arabian Mountain from Panola Mountain State Park which charges a $5 park entry fee. Overall this area is pet and family friendly. Most of the trails are in open spaces that get quite a bit of sunshine. Therefore, if you’re hiking these trails during the warmer months be ready for those sun kisses. Other activities that you can partake in while visiting AMNHA are fishing and geocaching. Geocaching is like a treasure hunt aided by GPS or other mobile app. Once you find the hidden treasures you sign the contained logbook to prove you found it and bury it again for the next person. It’s an activity that the entire family can enjoy.

Pictures of Arabia Mountain hiking trails and lookout points

East Palisades Trail and Bamboo Forest

View of Chattahoochee River and downtown Atlanta Skyline — View of Chattahoochee River and Downtown skyline from lookout point

The East Palisades Trail and Bamboo Forest is located in Sandy Springs, Georgia less than 20 minutes outside of Downtown Atlanta. This 3.4 mile trail (one-way) takes you through dense woodlands and eventually to a Bamboo Forest. The trail runs along the Chattahoochee River and has fantastic views all around. The Indian Trail entrance to this area is best because there is actually directed parking. The Whitewater entrance has a double entry but only truly a one way path. There is limited parking here and you usually have to wait for someone to leave in order to find a spot. There is a $5 entry fee for either parking area.

East Palisades Trail

I would definitely say that The East Palisades Trail is for moderately experienced to very experienced hikers. Although this is a not that long of a hike the pathway through the dense woodland is a bit strenuous. At times you are walking on a very narrow pathway surrounded by steeply sloped areas or large drops to the river. Many of the tree’s roots pop in and out of the ground so you definitely have to watch where you are stepping. Definitely don’t want to trip and fall down those steep slopes or into the river. I would only bring a small child if they are used to hiking unpaved trails and mindful of where they are stepping. Otherwise it’s a good hike for older children, adults and even pets. The changing colors of the leaves during Fall season was very eye catching and added to the already beautiful scenery.

Pictures of East Palisades hiking trail — East Palisades Trail

Bamboo Forest

Along the way there are trail maps that help you keep track of where you are. The Bamboo Forest is the farthest point on the maps. Because we had a small child with us we kept on the left most pathway directly to the Bamboo Forest. The Bamboo Forest literally appears out of nowhere. You’ll be walking along amongst the trees and at times right beside the river. You’ll go over some bridges and past some rock formations with small bits of bamboo here and there. Then all of a sudden voila…you run into these immensely large bamboo stalks. It’s actually quite an astonishing surprise and totally worth the hike to experience the wonders of Mother Nature.

Panola Mountain State Park

Located in Stockbridge, GA this park is home to a massive granite mountain, 2 fishing lakes, and a nature center. There is also a playground for the kids and picnic areas for the entire family. Other activities that you can partake in while here are geocaching, bird watching, camping, archery, and tree climbing. Other amenities at Panola Mountain State Park include an event room that seats 50, an Amphitheatre, and a pavilion.

For those who want to go hiking, biking, roller blading, dog walking and running there are many paved and unpaved trails to choose from. You can rent bikes at the park for a $10 fee. There are even ranger led trails that you can book which teach about rare plants and animals found throughout the park. We did a one mile unpaved hike and then a 6 mile paved hike (roundtrip). The 6 mile hike called the Alexander Lake Loop was very scenic, making it’s way along the lake and to different lookout points. Aside from the distance this trail wasn’t too tedious. You can turn back at any point so I would say it is an easy to moderate hike. There are many hiking trails to choose from and you can even intersect the Arabia Mountain PATH trail from this location.

Pictures of hiking trails and lakes at Panola Mountain State Park

Stone Mountain Park

View from hike to the top of Stone Mountain — View from the top of Stone Mountain

Stone Mountain Park is located in Stone Mountain, GA which is about a 30 minute drive from Downtown Atlanta. The Park is home to the infamous Stone Mountain which is a large mass of quartz monazite. There are 15 miles of walking and hiking trails within the park. The trails vary in difficulty level and range from a 1 mile hike to the mountain top up to a 5 mile loop around the base of the mountain. There are 8 hiking trails in all including the Songbird Habitat Trail which was the site of archery and cycling during the 1996 Olympics. The Songbird trail walks you through the home of birds such the Eastern Bluebird, Northern Cardinal and White-Breasted Nuthatch. You can also bike and run on some of the trails.

Stone Mountain Park also hosts a slew of events throughout the year. From Easter, Labor Day and Christmas Celebrations to Pumpkin, Magnolia and Native American Festivals. Stone Mountain is booming year round and you can enjoy all the events for an annual fee of $59.95 (adults). Just coming for the hike well daily parking is $20 or you can park year round for $40. All in all Stone Mountain Park has something to offer everyone.

Pictures from hiking trails and views from Stone Mountain Park

Well those are some of the trails that we’ve visited thus far. Look out for a part two with more amazing trails as we continue on our outdoor excursions. And if you have any of your own that you would like to share drop ’em in the comments. We’d love to see how you’ve been being outdoorsy as well.

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8 Unique Ways to Preserve Travel Memories

November 18, 2020 by The Traveling Four Leave a Comment

Please keep in mind that this post may contain affiliate links. If you click a link and buy something I may receive a commission. This does not affect or change the price you pay.

Nowadays everyone takes pictures while traveling, whether by phone or personal camera. Pictures are a monumental way to reflect on all of the marvelous highlights you’ve experienced while traveling. But what happens when those millions of trips you’ve taken start to blur together? When you can’t quite remember where you were when you tasted the best Ropa Vieja in Cuba? Or what Art Gallery you saw that painting that you fell in love with but couldn’t afford?

We all want to remember the highs and lows of our excursions as we travel more and more. In addition to great photos, look into these 8 unique ways to look back at those famous travels.

Travel Journal

Travel Journals are ideal for capturing noteworthy details about your excursions. They allow you to write down the places you’ve visited including each of the unique memories, adventures, people you’ve met, etc. You are not limited to just writing, feel free to sketch or draw your feelings. Don’t be afraid to get personal!

*When choosing a travel journal be sure to look for journals with paper that doesn’t bleed, preferably acid-free paper. Try these options below:

Check out this beauty for only 6.99

Or this Travel Journal for only 14.99. Includes gift box!

Shadow Boxes

Shadow boxes are a unique way to preserve and showcase your traveling souvenirs. These boxes are helpful in keeping dust and insects out. Shadow boxes are easy to personalize and fill with your own personality. Depending on the size of your box you can fit anything in it from tickets to t-shirts. Whether you prefer to dump everything in all at once or strategically organize.

Shadow boxes can easily be purchased online or in any crafting store, these boxes can also be made from scratch. If the box that you purchase is not already decorated you can decorate the front with pictures, decoupaged map pieces, or you can use a Cricut to add some cool decorations with vinyl.

Scrapbooks/Photo Books

Oh yes, of course the age-old scrapbook for capturing your greatest moments in a vastly creative way. Scrapbooks are the most time consuming on this list but are extremely fun to create. Your creativity is allowed to roam free. Scrapbooking materials can be costly, so I would recommend being as resourceful as possible with your embellishments and supplies.

If hauling out the craft paper and glue stash is not up your alley try creating a photo book online. Using templates on sites like Shutterfly, Snapfish and Collage can make this task simple but still help add those personal touches. Photo books start at about 4.99, which makes them a more cost effective alternative to scrapbooks.

The best memories are the ones we make together.
-Unknown

Travel Suitcase

This is great idea if you want to up-cycle an old suitcase that you previously used for travels. Suitcase preservation is for the intermediate and novice traveler to house some of your bigger hauls, like afghan blankets, vases, postcards, maps, Dutch clogs etc.

When using a suitcase for travel memories people are going to expect exciting souvenirs. A suitcase let’s people know that you have amazing stories to tell. So, be prepared to have a few great adventures to recite.

Check out this beautiful vintage suitcase

Currency Collection

While traveling whether overseas or around the country, collect currency from every place that you visit and put in a travel jar or display in a notebook. This is a simple way to look back at all of the places that you’ve visit. For all you know that collection may be worth some money some day!

Post Card Ring

Post Cards can be found in gift shops, book stores and some indoor/outdoor farmer’s markets. This is a cost effective option, with a price tag that ranges from .25 to $5.00 depending on where you are. The idea is to collect various post cards and attach them onto a key ring that can be purchased at any hardware or dollar store.

If you want too add a more personal touch write a personal message on the back and mail the postcards to your house.

Travel Map Collages

Try collecting travel maps from every place that you visit. It doesn’t necessarily have to be maps of the country: it can be park maps, subway maps, street maps. Take all of those maps and make a pic collage portrait of them. This lets you piece together your travels from various places, while creating a conversational art piece in your home.

Resin Jewelry

Resin Jewelry is great for displaying small items. Items like seashells, sand, coins, dried flowers, pictures, small souvenirs, mini scrolls, toys. This is something that you can easily do yourself or have made.

If you plan to do this for yourself all you need are simple rings, necklaces, or earring settings and a resin kit. These items can be found at any hobby store (don’t forget to use any applicable coupons to lower cost), Here are two simple you tube videos to show you how easy this is.

Memories to collect while traveling

shot glasses
matches
pictures
post cards
quilts
blankets
clothing/garments native to the land
beach themed items: seashells, sand, starfish, sand dollars
tickets – entertainment, plane, travel
Menus
key chains
gift shop trinkets
novelties
money/coins
Candy wrappers
napkins

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Fausett Farms Sunflowers – Dawsonville, GA.

November 9, 2020 by The Traveling Four Leave a Comment

The Traveling 4 spent an afternoon in Dawsonville, Georgia, among a sea of sunflowers on Fausett Farms. The last time we visited a sunflower farm, it was in the middle of the Summer, so the weather was hot and humid. Imagine our surprise when we found out that Fausett Farms sunflowers bloomed in the fall. The farm is typically open for about a month, with newly bloomed sunflowers popping up throughout that month. So, when we saw their Facebook post that said the sunflowers were starting to bloom, and they were opening for a limited time, we began planning our visit. It took us a little under 2 hours to get to the farm. And the cost of admission was $5.00 per person, and free for children under the age of 5.

The crowds were not very large on the day that we decided to go and, there was plenty of space to move about safely. It rained the night before so, the ground was extremely muddy. We had to be extremely careful as we walked the grounds not to slip and fall. Even on a non-rainy day, my suggestion would be to wear shoes that are easy to clean off. This will ensure that you don’t ruin a pair of your favorite shoes while walking around the farm. I even brought a pair of extra shoes to change into after we left the farm.

You’re not allowed to cut any of the sunflowers as you walk throughout the farm but, you can purchase pre-cut sunflowers. There were also other vendors there that you could purchase items from. One vendor sold local honey, and another sold raspados. This was a perfect place to take sunflower centered photos. In my opinion, the only disadvantage was that we could not walk in-between the rows of flowers to take photos. We could only go around the perimeter of the sunflower beds. A little area was set aside where the kids could play, which was a good break. After we left the sunflower farm, we went to the North Georgia Premium Outlets for a little shopping.

Check out some of our photo highlights, from the farm:

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Myrtle Beach, SC in 24 Hours

October 19, 2020 by The Traveling Four Leave a Comment

Hello Fellow Travelers & Travelettes

Sometimes you don’t have a week to vacation. You may only have 24 hours to explore a location before moving to the next. Trying to pack all scenery and attractions into your itinerary to make your short trip memorable can be stressful.

Luckily, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina has a lot of touristy things to do whether you’re traveling with family, taking a girl’s trip, or embarking on a simple romantic getaway. Here’s a reference guide to make the most of your 24-hour trip to Myrtle Beach.

8:30 am – Breakfast @ Hot Stacks Pancake House

The start of any trip must be a good breakfast. Unfortunately, due to Covid-19 many hotel locations have slimmed their breakfast lineups, or they may have closed their eateries all together. Not to worry… Myrtle is filled with plenty of good locations to eat. One of them just happens to be Hot Stacks Pancake House.

They have a hearty selection and offer a decent variety of vegan and gluten-free options. I recommend trying the Chicken and Waffles, which also comes in a vegan alternative.

10:00 am – Franklin G. Burroughs-Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum

What better way to let your food digest after breakfast then with a calming walk through the Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum. This place offers free admission, although a small donation of $5 is greatly appreciated. Open Tuesday through Sunday for your viewing pleasure.

During our visit we were able to see an impressive paper exhibit by Sara Farrington titled “Model Home”. Absolutely amazing! The display was made completely out of paper. Everything from the couch to the electrical outlets.

Another one of the featured exhibits was Mana Hewitt titled “Persistence”. Featuring elegantly crafted brooches to signify the importance of women past and present. I personally enjoyed reading all of the narratives of the women on display. From Ruth Bader Ginsburg to Madame CJ Walker.

11:45 am – Walk Murrells Inlet Marsh Walk

This is perfect for the nature lover in your group. Only a half mile walk to easily enjoy the wildlife, birds and oddly enough goats the marsh has to offer. In addition, live music from the nearby restaurants and venues can be heard while strolling the marsh.

1:00 pm – Lunch @ Drunken Jack’s

Hushpuppies served with honey butter! I never would’ve thought to put this little concoction together, now I can’t imagine life without it. Drunken Jack’s can be found along the Marsh in addition to a couple of other great restaurants.

The crab cake sandwich I ordered was flavorful and delicious. Although, I couldn’t help but to nibble off of my husband’s melt in your mouth Jack’s Seafood Platter. Leaving full and satisfied would be an understatement.

2:45 pm – Myrtle Beach Pinball Museum

If you’re looking for a bunch of pictures on the wall this is not the place you’re searching for. This Museum is filled with pinball machines old and new that you can literally play. For only $12 a person you’re able to play till your little heart is content.

Please beware some of those high scores are hard to beat but you’ll have a great time trying!

4:00 pm – Ripley’s 5-D Moving Theater

The way these seats sling you from side to side, this attraction is more like an amusement park ride rather than a theater. At one point I thought the seats were going to catapult us across the room…all in fun of course.

It only lasted for about 15 minutes total. I would suggest purchasing these tickets as a bundle pack with any of the other Ripley’s attractions to save money. Buying them solo for only 15 minutes of fun could place a damper on your vacation budget.

Keep in mind that this attraction is only open Wednesday through Sunday.

4:45 pm – Relax on the Beach

Let the sounds of the waves clear your mind. Allow the sand to caress your toes. If need be stop by yours or another’s resort bar and grab a drink. Relaxation is all that needs to happen at this point. Nothing else needs to be said. Point. Blank. Period!

7:00 pm – Miniature Golf @ Mt. Atlanticus Minotaur Golf Course

There are at least 10 different miniature golf establishments on N. Kings Hwy alone. We chose Mt. Atlanticus because it seemed like the most challenging for our family. We loved the theme and ambiance here so we definitely recommend checking it out.

8:30 pm – Pirates Voyage

What an amazing show!! Oh, and I cannot forget the food…delicious!

It’s hard not to add them to the list, they have clearly allocated money into their marketing budget. While driving to our hotel we passed a million advertising signs to come visit. Even our hotel key had a small advertisement for the Pirates Voyage. So, those displays peaked our interest.

Pirates Voyage ranges around $60 for an adult ticket. Depending on your budget and amount of members in your party, it can get a little pricey. Keep in mind you are getting dinner and a show. A simple performance anywhere would cost you $30-$40 alone so money well spent.

The show itself is very engaging; actors and crew members never lose character. Food titles and descriptions play along with the pirates theme as well.

10:00 pm – Walk the Boardwalk

When you see the Ferris wheel you know you’re getting close.

The Boardwalk is a 1.2 mile walk that showcases oceanfront hotels, restaurants, lounges, shops and attractions. A great area to grab a drink, listen to some music and feel like a tourist. Most things close around 11 but the clubs and lounges stay open until 2 on the weekend.

Let us know about your trip to Myrtle Beach, SC and what you enjoyed most while there in the comments section below.

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The Georgia Guidestones

October 12, 2020 by The Traveling Four Leave a Comment

I have always wanted to see the Georgia Guidestones (also known as America’s Stonehenge) in person. For years, I’ve heard about the Guidestones and thought that the mystery surrounding them was fairly interesting. So, one day, I decided that I would take an impromptu drive to Elberton, Georgia to finally see them in person. It took me right around two hours to drive there.

Here’s a little history of this mysterious site. According to the New Georgia Encyclopedia, the Georgia Guidestones were created by a man named R. C. Christian, who traveled to Elberton because of the town’s large granite supply. There he met both the president of Elberton Granite Finishing Company and Granite City Bank president, who helped him find the land and build the Guidestones. The site officially opened on March 22, 1980.

There are ten guides written on the Guidestones in various languages, including English, Arabic, Chinese, Spanish, Swahili, Russian, and Hebrew. According to Christian, these guides are written for all of humanity. On the square capstone that sits on top of the Guidestones, the inscription reads, “Let these be Guidestones to an age of reason.” This inscription is on each of the four sides in a different language too. These languages are Sanskrit, Babylonian cuneiform, Egyptian hieroglyphics, and Greek. The Georgia Guidestones also serves as a large sundial as well. At noon, the sun shines directly through the hole that was drilled in the center. Below is the list of each of the ten ‘guides.’

1. Maintain humanity under 500,000,000 in perpetual balance with nature.

2. Guide reproduction wisely — improving fitness and diversity.

3. Unite humanity with a living new language.

4. Rule Passion — Faith — Tradition — and all things with tempered reason.

5. Protect people and nations with fair laws and just courts.

6. Let all nations rule internally resolving external disputes in a world court.

7. Avoid petty laws and useless officials.

8. Balance personal rights with social duties.

9. Prize truth — beauty — love — seeking harmony with the infinite.

10. Be not a cancer on the earth — Leave room for nature — Leave room for nature.

Overall, it was fascinating to see in person. I honestly don’t know if there is an exact reason why R.C. Christian decided to erect these Guidestones. Or, why he specifically stated those ten ‘guides’ listed on the Guidestones. But, it is a sight to behold. My only complaint is that I traveled for 2 hours to get there and only spent maybe 20 minutes at the site. If I had to do it again, I would scout out a few other things to do in Elberton to extended my day trip. The Elberton Granite Museum highlights the Guidestones, but I traveled there on a Sunday, and they were closed. However, I’ve checked this site off of my list of must-visit places in Georgia. On to the next location.

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Gibbs Garden

August 13, 2020 by The Traveling Four Leave a Comment

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, traveling and vacations have pretty much halted for us… Sad, we know. But, there have been a lot of local trails, parks (local and national), and outdoor activities that are still open. So, we have begun venturing out locally to see our local outdoor sites, while maintaining social distancing policies, of course. For our latest outing, we spent a few hours at Gibbs Garden in Ball Ground, Georgia.

Social Distancing is heavily enforced at Gibbs, and tickets at this time are only purchased online. A QR bar code is sent directly to your email upon purchase, which you can print or pull up on your phone. To reduce human contact, you are able to scan the bar code under the scanner for entry. Maps are available for pick-up if preferred.

Make sure to check the weather forecast so you know what to wear and pull out those comfy shoes. The grounds of this breath taking natural treasure is quite extensive. Be prepared for a three hour walk to see all sections of the gardens.

Gibbs Gardens is a beautifully landscaped, oasis sectioned off perfectly for your viewing pleasures. The entire area is categorized into two garden sections: The Manor House Gardens and the Valley Gardens. The Manor House section includes Azalea, Rhododendron, Daffodil, Hydrangea and the Woodland Shade Gardens. Located in this section is also the Rose Arbor and Nature Canopy Walk. The Valley Gardens section hosts The Fern Dell, The Pleasance and Daylily Gardens, the Grandchildren’s Sculpture Gardens, Rose Gardens, Japanese Gardens, and Monet Waterlily Gardens. It will take about 1.5 hours to complete each section.

We started our walk gazing at the alluring water lily ponds in the Monet Waterlily Gardens.

The gazebos and charming bridges provided much needed shade as we mapped out our next destination.

Next, we decided to make our way to the Manor House with stops in the many gardens along the way. We were allured by the beautiful hydrangeas we saw at the beginning of our journey.

These Azaleas were just as gorgeous and so vibrant.

The awe inspiring Cabana/Pool area near the Manor House was a great place to take a break before tackling the second half of our journey. This is the back yard of all our dreams. The serenity that it exuded just wrapped you up and didn’t want to let go. Or maybe we didn’t want to let go – it was so peaceful.

The Manor House did not disappoint either. It was grand and beautifully decorated, plus it had a bathroom. Hey, after walking for over an hour and continuously hydrating because of the high heat and humidity you’re so happy to empty that bladder and get some A/C.

Another stunning area was the Rose Arbor and Natural Canopy Walk

For the Valley Gardens section, these amazing water features found in the Pleasance and Daylily Gardens are on our list of must sees for your trip to Gibb’s.

DeeDee couldn’t wait to enter through the Torii gate to see the Japanese Gardens. With it’s 50+ year old bonsai plants, expansive Japanese Maples and stunning sculptures. It definitely was a sight to behold.

Walking through all of the gardens were magical. It oftentimes felt like we were walking through a simulation, everything felt so surreal. This was very true in the Japanese Garden. Check out the picture below to see what we mean.

One thing to note, at the time of our visit, the tram rides were temporarily suspended due to Covid-19. So, when you are planning where you will go in the garden, make sure you know the distance because a lot of walking is involved.

Overall, we all enjoyed our trip to Gibbs Garden very much. We are currently planning another trip for the Fall. I think that it will be extremely beautiful with the changing colors of the leaves. If you get a chance to visit, let us know what you think in the comments below.

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Best Downtime Movies to Watch While Traveling

March 23, 2020 by The Traveling Four Leave a Comment

After a great day of sightseeing, you arrive to your hotel room to unwind. What better way to unwind than with a good movie? No one wants to spend hours upon hours swiping through title after title to find the best movie. So, The Traveling 4 has compiled a list of movies to keep you and your family entertained while traveling.

Click on the hyperlinks below to be taken directly to your favorite genre

Travel Movies

Family Movies

Comedy Movies

Action Movies

Romantic Movies

Scary Movies

Suspense Movies

TV Series

Travel Movies

Movies comprised of travel gives you motivation to want to explore, sight see and let loose on your own vacation. Travel movies are filled with inspiration that make you want to venture out of the ordinary. They can encourage you to find yourself or provide a little persuasion to help get you into a good mischief.

RV
We’re the Miller’s
Eat Pray Love
Into the Wild
National Lampoon’s Vacation
Road Trip
Snatched
EuroTrip
Planes, Trains, and Automobiles
Harold and Kumar
Blues Brothers
Bucket List
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
Wine Country
The Commuter
Away We Go
Johnson Family Vacation
Like Father
The Tourist

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Family Movies

While traveling with family, it can be hard to find movies that interest everyone. Everyone is into their own thing and it can be hard to maintain the attentiveness of smaller children. Family movies provide us with all genre’s at once; comedy, action, suspense and romance to excite the whole family. Or at the very least put on a family movie to put the smaller ones to bed after a long day of wandering.

Transformers
Avengers
The Good Dinosaur
The Land Before
Batman
Boss Baby
Captain America
The Secret Life of Pets
Angry Birds
Big Momma House
Space Jam
Good Burger
The Incredibles
Stuart Little
Lego Movie
Uncle Buck
Richie Rich
Wreck it Ralph
Uncle Drew
Look Who’s Talking
A Cinderella Story
Forest Gump
I am Sam
Iron Man
Real Steel
Chappie
Thor
Men in Black
Spider Man
Pokemon
Paws to the Rescue
Big Hero 6
Toy Story
Lion King
Bug’s ‘Life
Ant’s
Penguins of Madagascar
Bob the Builder
Horton Hears a Who
Shawn the Sheep
Wonder Park
Benji
The Lorax
Duck Duck Goose
Goosebumps
Gnome Alone
Godzilla
The Gnome
Sherlock Gnomes
Ghost Busters
Hotel Transylvania
Mary Poppins
District 9
Bolt
Rango
Ferdinand
Coco
Small Foot
Abominable
Despicable Me

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Comedy Movies

Nothing like a good laugh to keep the good times rolling. Comedy can inspire fun conversations and jokes while traveling. Some people say that laughter is the best medicine and with this list you can see why.

Malibu’s Most Wanted
White Chicks
Friday
Super Troopers
Step Brothers
Talladega Nights
Rush Hour
Next Day Air
Hustlers
Deadpool
Hall Pass
Search Party
Night School
Grandma’s Boy
BridesMaids
The Other Guys
Scary Movie
Bruce Almighty
Little
Guess Who
Bad Mom’s Christmas
The Mask
Fifty Shades of Black
Hot Chick
Happy Gilmore
Billy Madison
Car Wash
The Jerk
Semi Pro
Tropic Thunder
Masterminds

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Action Movies

Action movies bring out the adventurer in you while traveling. Looking for a good fight scene, maybe a thrilling shoot out, or just something to jolt the heart a little. This section is jammed pack with all of your favorite action scenes.

John Wick
Mr. & Mrs Smith
The Take
Red
The Brother
Blood and Bone
The Shooter
Faster
Shoot Em Up
Equalizer 1 & 2
Takers
Superfly
Fast and the Furious
Mile 22
The Meg
Fight Club
Armageddon
Transporter
Wild Card
The Hateful Eight
Robin Hood
Blood Brother
Rise of the Planet Apes
Venom
Predator
Judge Dredd
Demolition Man
Blade
Underworld
Red Sparrow
Hell Boy
Die Hard
Crank

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Romantic Movies

My personal all time favorite genre is romance movies. I am a stickler for anything revolving around stories of love. The suspense of who ends up with who and how they came to be is exciting. Any travel location can become your own memorable love story. Depending on where you’re traveling you may find that romance you’ve been looking for just like in the movies.

My Last Day Without You
Between the Lights
Irreplaceable You
The Mountain Between Us
When in Rome
Home Again
A Star is Born
What Men Want
Bedazzled
Over Board
The Sun is Also A Star
Steel Magnolia’s
Hateship Loveship
The Perfectionist
Five Feet Apart
No Strings Attached
Sex and the City 1 & 2
My Girl
Burlesque
Forever My Girl
Return to Me
Silver Linings Playbook
The Notebook
Hitch
Good Luck Chuck
Pearl in Paradise
Dear John
Mr. Right
The Vow
Ever After
The Ugly Truth
Heaven Can Wait
Mermaids
Chocolat
Country Strong
Tell it to the Bees
You, Again
Jason’s Lyric
Belle
Southside With You
Rust Creek

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TV Series

Sometimes the weather can put a damper on your plans that will cause you to be stuck in your hotel room for a few more hours than planned. At those times it’s best to binge watch a good tv series.

Slasher
Son’s of Anarchy
All American
Scandal
Stranger Things
Good Girls
Any Given Sunday
Hoarders
Marianne
On My Block
Marlon
The Witcher
The Rain
Supernatural
I am a Killer
Love Sick
Law and Order
Law and Order SVU
Ozark
Keeping up with the Kardashians
Weeds
Breaking Bad
Prison Break
Black Summer
Chopped
Black Mirror
Queen of the South
NCIS
Blacklist
Ace of Spades
When They See Us
Jane the Virgin
Botched
Charmed
House
Grey’s Anatomy
This is Us
Glee
Pose

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Scary Movies

For the most part, a good scary movie can have you sleeping like a baby while traveling. Here are a few Horrors to have you peaking over the covers.

Conjuring
Insidious
Dawn of the Dead
Day of the Dead
Hellraiser
The Curse of La Llorona
The Quiet place
US
Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Jeeper’s Creepers
Carrie
Winchester
Truth or Dare
Zombie Land
Black Christmas
Child’s Play
Happy Death Day 2 U
Happy Death Day
Prodigy
The Hills Have Eyes
Wrong Turn
Nightmare on Elm Street
Dracula
Poltergeist
Night off the Living Dead
Scream
Candyman
The Ring
Annabelle
The Grudge Part 1
The Forrest
Dead Silence
The Woman in Black
The Omen
The Possession of Hannah Grace
See No Evil
The Strangers
JessaBelle
Critters

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Thriller/Suspense

Searching
Final Destination
The Purge
The Intruder
Training Day
Out of Time
Resident Evil
Kill Bill Vol.1 &2
Columbiana
Hostage
Beowulf
300
Gang Related’
Cabin in the Woods
Devil’s Rejects
Unfriended
Jigsaw
Pet Cemetery
Alien
I Spit on Your Grave
Hostel
The Belko Experiment
Silent Hill
The House on the Left
The Good Son
Menace to Society

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Tour Amazing Museums All Over the World – From Home

March 16, 2020 by The Traveling Four 4 Comments

Have you ever wanted to visit the Taj Mahal, in India or the Eiffel Tower, in France? Well, now thanks to the Google Cultural Institute you can. These unbelievable sites and more are all available to view online from the comfort of your own home. You can view these amazing sites instantly and for free with no plane rides or hotel stays. Google Arts and Culture allows you to virtually visit and tour over 3,400 museums and cultural sites all over the world. Many popular and also some lesser-known sites are entirely open for exploration. Below is a list of some of the incredible places that are available to you:

Robben Island Museum – Cape Town, South Africa

Museo Frida Kahlo – Ciudad de México, Mexico

Temple of Concordia – Italy

Taj Mahal – India

Van Gogh Museum – Amsterdam, Netherlands

American Association of People with Disabilities – Washington, DC

The Eiffel Tower – Paris, France

The National Museums of Kenya – Nairobi, Kenya

Stencil Land and rundontwalk, Canard and Castillo – Buenos Aires, Portugal

Go exploring on the website and let us know about some of the fantastic sites that you were able to visit.

Amazing Photo Op Sites in Savannah, GA

March 3, 2020 by The Traveling Four Leave a Comment

Warning…I am not a model, but i do love to take a selfie of myself from time to time. This post is for the refined and unrefined photo enthusiast looking for optimal places to take breathtaking photos in historical Savannah, GA.

Savannah has an abundance of affluent history and character flowing through its streets. If you live in Savannah, or are just in town for a visit you can find a vast amount of locations to setup a photo shoot. Whether you’re in the market for family photos, baby shower invitations, wedding/engagement announcements, prom/graduation pictures, head shots or just want to get cute and “do it for the gram” then check out the Savannah scene. Get your cameras and smartphones ready because below you will find a list of amazing photo op sites to frequent in Savannah, GA.

Savannah Botanical Gardens

Number one on the list is the Savannah Botanical Gardens because of their beautiful flowers and scrupulous landscape. This place gives you a peaceful and tranquil vibe, which is perfect for taking pictures because of it’s minimal distractions. The Gardens offer a man-made lake, two nice pergolas, simple bridges, flowers and a brick walkway that lead to a fun and funky butterfly chair. The Reinhard house is also open to the public; a great escape on a hot summer day.

While walking towards one of the pergola’s I saw some rose petals on the ground that looked like they were probably a part of a previous wedding ceremony. I decided to do a playful shot of me throwing the flowers in the air and watching them hit the ground. I think it turned it pretty well and it was so much fun.

Be one with the butterfly, lol! I absolutely loved this butterfly chair in the gardens, it made posing easy. The butterfly chair is located near the lake and it has a artsy vibe to it. The possibilities are endless for this little corner of the gardens.

***Camera Tip: If you feel a little pudgy, use the wide angel on your camera or smartphone to help you look a little slimmer.

Of course, I’m not going to show you all of the beauty that this Botanical Gardens has to offer. You’re going to have to experience this quaint little spot on your own!

Forsyth Park

The park is always a great place to take photos, one reason why is because they are FREE! Located at the north-end entryway of the park are Spanish moss covered oak tress that line the park. Another great feature when entering on this end is the beautifully displayed water fountain built in 1858. The park has many other landmarks to visit to help you showcase and capture beauty in every photo you take. The playground area would be great for a kids photo shoot.

Forsyth park photos are going to be all about lighting and timing. Please keep in mind that this is a touristy location that many people visit at all times of the day. During the summer months, you may have a few more people that you will have to crop and/or edit out of your photos.

Lighting may also be an issue because of all of the trees that are scattered throughout this park. Trees can lead to a lot of unwanted shadows in your photos. I believe the park is prettiest during an early morning sunrise or just as captivating as the sun is going down.

Tybee Island -Savannah Beach

Of course, the beach is going to be a good place for you to take pictures. Blue skies, white sand, and an ocean that stretches for miles and miles is a great backdrop for any photo. Taking pictures on the pier is a great idea as well but what about pictures under the pier. While walking to find a nice quiet spot to lay our beach blanket down, we walked under the pier and loved how the pillars looked in a photo. With a little editing this can hang on the wall in your home as a picture.

The Pirates House

If you are in the mood for some foodie pics then you should stop by the Pirate’s House. The food here is absolutely amazing! While here you will notice tour buses stop for a second to tell you about the history of this establishment. If you’re curious to know why this place is so interesting, the Pirate’s House offers haunted house tours throughout the day and night. If scares aren’t your thing and you’re just looking for some old-timey decor to compliment your photo shoot then this is the perfect spot.

You can see in this photo the type of decor they have in this restaurant. This would be the perfect spot for an old-fashioned theme photo.

***Camera tip: Turn on a vintage filter when taking antiquated pictures or use the vintage setting while editing to add more pizzazz.

I fell in love with the building right next door to the Pirates House. I loved the color of the bricks and the wooden frame of the doors on this building. That is where I decided to set up my quick impromptu photo shoot. I felt like the color of the bricks made my skin pop!

The Historic Savannah Theater

Beautiful inside and out the Savannah Theater is the perfect place to snap a few pictures. The building looks good in the day or at night. Personally I thought the building gave off an old Hollywood Glam feel.

Bonaventure Cemetery

Bonaventure Cemetery will surely push your creative envelope. Although a cemetery is not ideal for everyone, the Bonaventure Cemetery during the day is very peaceful. It would be great site for a Halloween party invitation pic. If you are not scared of a few dead bodies lying underneath the ground then Bonaventure Cemetery is for you. Be careful when you photograph here you may catch an Orb or two floating in your photo.

River Street

Savannah is known for it’s hauntingly controversial past; a lot of that history starts on River Street. River street is a great place to take building and structural photos. Why? Because…it’s a way of telling a story without really telling a story. Some examples would be to take photos of the river, riverboats, and the actual buildings.

My favorite picture on River Street was of the actual street itself. The 200+ year old streets screamed like they had a story to tell. I loved how the cobblestones looked with a black and white filter. Pictures like these can be framed and used as home decor.

***Camera Tip: To capture drama and emotion in your photographs use black and white filters.

The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist

This photo was taken while walking on one of Savannah’s many haunted ghost tours. I love the way this building looks at night. The way the Moss hangs over the branches makes the photo look kind of creepy but intriguing as well. You will want to get photos inside and out of this cathedral. The architectural layout on the inside of this building is stunning. Self-guided tours are available Monday through Saturday; certainly worth a visit.

Habersham Street

While driving to our next touristy destination, looking for a parking space, we happened to find one on Habersham Street. I immediately admired the lovely buildings and Victorian style homes that lined the street. Habersham Hall, which belongs to SCAD, caught my attention not because it used to be the county jail but simply because I just loved the building. The wrought iron details are so elegant that it merely would bring out the beauty in any shot.

I loved the back side of some of the older refurbished homes located on Habersham street. The white washed brick added a slight contemporary street feel to the photos. Street photos are a good way to showcase fashion, beauty and art.

Savannah is fun, peaceful and just an overall good time! If you are in the area stop by these cool sites for some photo fun. Keep in mind you don’t have to be a professional to take a good shot. As you can see I am not a professional but I had so much fun clicking away. Your selfie can also be the best photo you take on your trip.

If you know of any areas around Savannah that you consider an amazing photo op spot let us know in the comments.

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Phoenix Flies 2020 – Atlanta, GA.

February 18, 2020 by The Traveling Four 5 Comments

The Atlanta Preservation Center, in collaboration with their preservation partners, will hold FREE events throughout the City of Atlanta during March. These events are a part of the 2020 Phoenix Flies and will occur between March 7th – 29th. During the month, there will be lectures, guided/walking tours, open houses, and more at some of the most prized historical sites in Atlanta. Places like the Atlanta History Center, the Governor’s Mansion, and the Historic Herndon Home Museum are all scheduled to hold free events during this time (however, changes may occur).

So, if you live in or near Atlanta, or if you will be in the city any time during March 2020, then I would highly suggest taking a look at some of these FREE events. Click on the photo below to view the 2020 Phoenix Flies digital booklet, then let us know about all of the fantastic venues you visited during the event.

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Top 9 Best Things To Do While In New Orleans

February 10, 2020 by The Traveling Four 5 Comments

Everything that you have heard about New Orleans is true! Someone once told me that “New Orleans is the cleanest, dirtiest, grittiest, happiest, absolute must visit place on earth”. When I first heard that I was a little taken aback but after visiting I can truly say it is all of that and more. New Orleans is full of rich history – some good, some bad – that spans over centuries. Southern hospitality is definitely not lacking in this beautiful city filled with hope & love. The residents here are so happy and proud of their city and not afraid to share a good story or two. New Orleans is a place for families, friends and romance. It is literally the city that never sleeps, with events happening at all times of the day. Here is a list of the top nine things that you must do while visiting New Orleans.

Mardi Gras World

Mardi Gras World is a must visit tourist attraction in New Orleans. They offer hour long tours that are fun and exciting for individuals of all ages. One thing that I loved is that Mardi Gras World encourages you to take lots of pictures, so don’t be scared to snap away. While here you will learn all about the fascinating historical events that led up to Mardi Gras and the fantastic floats that are paraded through the streets during this event. We enjoyed being able to witness the different steps and processes it takes to make these elaborate floats. The workers here really take pride in their work; they are very big on recycling old floats and turning them into something new.

Tickets are only $22 per adult for the tour and parking is $15.

City Park

When you want to escape all the hustle and bustle of the city a great getaway is City Park. City Park is a huge lot of land that is beautifully landscaped and offers a wide variety of activities to keep your family occupied. The Carousel Gardens Amusement Park is a spectacular area within City Park that offers 16 carnival inspired rides, along with a roller coaster for the mild adventure seeker. While there you can rent a small boat or bike to travel around the park. It was very amusing to watch patrons rent the 4 passenger bicycles and struggle to make it up the small hill next to Cafe Du Monde. I hear the fishing in this park is superb so don’t forget to bring your fishing rods, lures, nets and whatever else you may need.

City Park is used as an ideal location for free photo backdrops. We noticed so many people setting up to take pictures on or around the Langles bridge and we can surely see why. Langles was built in 1902 and is full of exquisite charm and history. The landscape surrounding it really makes the bridge pop in any photo taken. Another popular location was the Peristyle building. City Park undoubtedly captured the Hellenistic architectural style with their Peristyle Building. Of course, I couldn’t help but partake in a little photo shoot around the parks famous landmarks myself.

Bourbon Street

You absolutely cannot take a trip to New Orleans and not visit Bourbon Street. It is almost like a rite of passage when visiting this wonderful city. Bourbon Street is full of established history where each wall has an exciting story to tell. The architectural design of the buildings is unique to New Orleans and the art scene pairs well with the city’s “theme”. We enjoyed perusing through some of the art galleries throughout.

New Orleans allows for open alcohol on the streets, so it’s only right to bar hop the numerous bars along Bourbon Street.

Be sure to visit Pat O’Brien’s and sample their signature drink – The Hurricane. This drink is absolutely delicious–it’s sweet, subtle and undoubtedly strong. The Hurricane will sneak up on you like a thief in the night. The sweet mixture in the drink disguises the alcohol very well, so please drink this concoction responsibly! Another reason to visit Pat O’Briens is the beautiful outdoor courtyard with its signature flaming fountain in the center. The courtyard is where the action happens. If the courtyard is too much for you be sure to go inside to see their amazing piano singers performing some of your favorite tunes. Just write down your favorite song on a napkin and slip the piano player a tip to hear them sing it. As a result, the crowd really gets into the fun.

Lafitte Blacksmith Shop is another great bar hop location to visit off Bourbon Street. The establishment is very small so don’t expect to grab a seat and lounge here especially during peak season. You aren’t going to want to sit here for too long anyway once you purchase a cup of their Voodoo Daiquiris. Some people come for the history (since it is one of the oldest and longest run businesses on Bourbon Street), but most keep coming for the Daiquiri’s.

One thing to note if visiting Bourbon Street is that the parking is $13 an hour (unless you can find parking on the street). My recommendation would be to take a ride share service to cut down on some of the parking costs.

Cafe Du Monde

Many know that Louisiana is famous for its beignets, so you absolutely have to try them before you leave. There are a few places that sell these delectable treats but Cafe Du Monde has perfected the recipe. They’ve been around since 1862 so I believe they have had a little time to make this recipe flawless. I personally love the old-timey, plain sailing, simplicity of this place. The menu is classic and straightforward; it isn’t bogged down with a million items for you to look through. As a result, you aren’t bombarded with that anxious feeling when you haven’t been there before and there are a million people waiting in line for you to order and you have no idea what to choose.

We ordered two servings of beignets (3 per serving), a medium iced coffee and a large frozen cafe au lait (which stands for coffee with milk). Amazingly their coffee pairs well with their beignets. Our total came up to $16 which wasn’t bad at all. The experience and the taste alone will have you hooked and continuously coming back.

Metairie Cemetery

If you are not overwhelmingly spooked out by going to cemeteries I would suggest visiting one of New Orleans historical cemeteries. We chose to look at the beautiful grave sites of Metairie’s Cemetery. We first thought that they were the graves of some historical figures that died hundreds of years ago, but upon closer inspection we found out that these elaborate gravestones/mausoleums are not only for those of an older generation but for recent individuals as well. You can tell the cemetery pays close attention to the wants and needs of their clients all the way down to those small intricate details. Whether on a ghost tour or just driving through I would suggest stopping by Metairie Cementary.

St. Louis Cathedral

The grounds surrounding the St. Louis Cathedral are so lovely and pristine, but the inside of this historical landmark is absolutely breathtaking. The cathedral is free but they do accept donations. The tours are self-guided and you can purchase a brochure that features highlights for $1.00. The St. Louis Cathedral is open Monday-Saturday from 8:30 o 4:00 p.m. They do hold daily mass which occurs at 12:00 p.m. daily. If you are looking for some adorable keepsakes you’re going to want to visit their gift shops. They have a nice selection of literature, keepsakes, jewelry, trinkets, and religious ornaments.

The back of the St. Louis Cathedral at night

Buckner Mansion

If you are into the show American Horror Story then you have seen the Buckner Mansion featured in Season’s 3 and 8. Located on the corner of Jackson and Coliseum in New Orleans this house is hard to miss. You can’t go in but you will know you are at the correct house because of all of the cars and tourists standing on the sidewalk to get a selfie with this famous house. If you are not into the show I will say don’t waste your time unless you just want to photograph some of New Orleans’ architectural history. I personally love the show so this stop was just unavoidable for me. History says that a ghost lives in there and that the house has been known to have some paranormal activity pulsing through it. I’m not sure if it’s true or not but a house this old has to have some type of existence wandering through the halls.

Voodoo’s BBQ and Grill

If you are looking for some New Orleans flair then visit Voodoo BBQ and Grill. The colorful atmosphere of the establishment is tasteful and inviting. Just reading the menu will have your mouth watering as you try to decide on what you want to eat. I chose the half rack of ribs, sweet potato souffle, macaroni & cheese and cornbread. It was so good and we were so hungry that we forgot to take pictures, lol. To finish off our gut busting meal I ordered a slice of white chocolate bread pudding. It is served warm with a white chocolate sauce drizzled all over the top. It is a must try and if you don’t stop by for the BBQ at least stop by for the bread pudding.

Voodoo’s BBQ has multiple locations so check out their website to see if there is one closer to you.

NOLA Brewery

NOLA Brewery is a must visit location because they offer FREE brewery tours with tastings every Friday and Saturday from 2-3 pm. During their tours you will get a wonderful history on the beers served here. It’s easy to fall in love with the quirky atmosphere when the beertenders and tour guides working there are so funny and relatable. A plus is the adjoining barbecue restaurant. You come for the beers but end up staying for the food!

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New Orleans has a lot of non-mainstream places to visit. If you know of any that you would like for the Traveling 4 to visit and blog about drop us a line in the comments.

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Mardi Gras World

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