Let’s venture into the deep south – South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi – where the summers are long, hot, and humid and the days fade into stiff evenings cooled by visits on the front porch. From the bayou towns of Louisiana to the quaint historic streets of Charleston, South Carolina, the cuisine, music, and literature of the most southern states will enchant you. South Carolina The novels of Pat Conroy: Pat Conroy is known for his sweeping stories about love and family set in South Carolina, particularly The Prince of Tides and Beach Music. The Prince of Tides,…
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Exploring the Beauty of the USA
The United States is a vast country just waiting to be explored… …and we are so fortunate to have incredible landscapes right outside our doors. From sea to shining sea, the beauty of the USA is the redwood forests of Northern California, the mysterious deserts and canyons of the southwest, the rustic charm of the islands of the Atlantic, and the white beaches of the Florida Gulf shores. Travelers from around the world seek the very experiences and destinations we often overlook. Have you experienced the power and beauty of Niagara Falls in person? Explored Mammoth Cave in Kentucky? Ventured…
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Southern Fiction Part 1
Southern fiction provides readers with a literary escape to the lush green hills of the Appalachians, a glimpse of the Civil War through the eyes of a beloved character, or a tour of small-town America through the streets of dusty coal towns. Let’s explore our first section of southern fiction (deeper south comes next!) by reading our way through West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, and North Carolina. West Virginia Snakehunter by Chunk Kinder: This coming-of-age story explores the life of Speer Whitfield, who reflects on his upbringing in 1940s Appalachia with his large and peculiar family. At turns funny…
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Have a Cruise Night at Home
It is said that absence makes the heart grow fonder. That’s certainly the case when it comes to cruising, one of our team’s most beloved types of vacations. If you’re like us, cruising is one of our favorite ways to make the most of every vacation moment. Am I craving pizza? I can order one. Do I want to dress up and dine on multiple courses? I can make a reservation for that. Do I want to catch a live musical act, play some Bingo, test my knowledge with trivia, or lounge by the pool? I can do all of…
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Summer Fun at Home
Summer is in full swing, and with it comes the little summer fun at home moments we love: Watching children play in backyard sprinklers, laughing in delight. Grilling our favorite foods outdoors and eating with the sun warming our faces and the breeze tousling our hair. Making our summer reading lists and seeking quiet spots to peacefully enjoy the latest novels. Pouring a glass of freshly brewed iced tea, complemented with mint from the garden. Summer is amazing small moments wrapped in sunshine. For some of us, when we think June, July, and August, we think about lazy afternoons at…
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