July 2021 First stop on the way to the mountains is at the Gateway to the Big South Fork visitor center. It's where you can get info on Big South Fork, which is located in north central Tennessee and southeastern Kentucky in some of the most rugged terrain of the Cumberland Plateau. You can do …
Nashville, Tennessee
July 2021 Nashville: the capital of Country and Bluegrass music, known as "Music City" and its nickname rings true. I took a break from driving and paid for the Old Town Trolley Tour. It's around $60 but its worth it to sit and be taken to places instead of driving, finding parking, and fighting traffic. …
Shiloh Natl. Military Park, Fort Donelson, and Mammoth Cave
July 2021 Shiloh National Military Park and Battlefield actually covers parts of Tennessee and Mississippi. It is the site of a battle in 1862, the largest in the Mississippi campaign in the Civil War with over 23,000 casualties. The park itself is over 5000 acres, not counting the Corinth section in Mississippi. That part is …
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Graceland and Memphis, Tennessee
July 2021 To see the epitome of what Elvis Presley became, you must visit Graceland. Graceland is like an actual compound, with museums, artifacts, and all things for you to immense yourself into Elvis' world that he lived in during his short life. https://flic.kr/p/2mRAVCb Beware as the area around Graceland is very sketchy. Don't stay …
Washington Tips
Visit the impressive, 3 story REI flagship store in Seattle to rent things you need! I rented a wheeled Coleman cooler, 2 trekking poles, and a sleeping bag for around $55. You can secure your items online and they'll be ready for you when you arrive! There's also tons of things you can get here …
Tupelo MS and the Beginning of Elvis
July 2021 Tupelo Mississippi is what's in your head when you imagine it. Sleepy. Cross the railroad tracks and shotgun style houses line the residential areas. The main street is decorated with all things Elvis Presley, reminding you that he was from here, that he walked these areas, that he dreamed of making his music. …
Vicksburg Natl. Military Park and Oxford MS
July 2021 Rain clouds cover the sky ominously on the drive to Vicksburg National Military Park in Vicksburg, Mississippi. The entrance to the park is directly across a hotel, and you're immediately greeted by large cannons that you can get up close to. https://flic.kr/p/2mQjRz8 The visitor's center should be your first stop to pay the …
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Cane River Creole National Historical Park and Poverty Point World Heritage Site
July 2021 The road trip this year was a Southern history tour throughout the South up from Louisiana to Tennessee and back down to Texas. The first stop was Cane River Creole National Historical Park up in Natchitoches, Louisiana. https://flic.kr/p/2mMxVzJ It's a fairly long drive to get to the park itself, it isn't on very …
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Seattle
July 05, 2021 Another day in Seattle, and I begin to seriously love this city. The fresh air and low humidity make it great for walking, which is what I do from the hotel back to Pike's Market to check out the very first Starbucks and get the limited edition merch. While waiting in line, …
Seattle
July 04, 2021 Time to explore Seattle! I take I-5 to 99 and after returning the items I borrowed at the Seattle REI, I continue on north over Lake Union to the very gentrified area of Fremont and to see the famous Fremont Troll, a sculpture underneath the Fremont bridge. Fremont appeared to be what …