Back in 1785 when the Georgia legislature selected the site for their state university, the city of Athens was called Cedar Shoals and it was little more than a remote trading post on the Oconee River. Just nine years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Georgia was the first state to make suchContinue reading “Georgia – Athens: A City that Grew Around a College”
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Georgia – Atlanta: Scott’s Antiques and Stone Mountain
We were headed down to Atlanta to have lunch with friends and decided to take a little extra time touring since we hadn’t been out in a while. As it turned out our visit was perfectly timed with the monthly opening of Scott’s Antique Market so after lunch we drove over to see what treasuresContinue reading “Georgia – Atlanta: Scott’s Antiques and Stone Mountain”
Virginia – Shenandoah Valley Produce Auction
When we were planning a stay with our friends Mark and Kathy at their Grand Oaks Air B&B, they said that they had something special for us to see and that we had to stay until Thursday. This was intriguing. We didn’t ask questions and did not attempt to do any research to find outContinue reading “Virginia – Shenandoah Valley Produce Auction”
Virginia – Mount Solon: Grand Oaks and Lots More
We took exit 240 and began following three-digit state roads. Near an especially early looking farmhouse with its cut stone foundation and ancient barn we came to Mossy Creek, an area first settled in the 1740s. An aging historic marker told of the Mossy Creek Iron Works that was established in 1775. “The ironworks becameContinue reading “Virginia – Mount Solon: Grand Oaks and Lots More”
Virginia – New Market
It was dark and dry when we left Maine at four in the morning. We made it around Boston and all the way through Hartford to Danbury before the rain started. With all the rain there wouldn’t be any bold displays of fall color as we drove along the steep ridge above Wilkes-Barre. We’d beContinue reading “Virginia – New Market”
New Speed Limit
We have some friends who live in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains. When the highway narrows down to two lanes we know it is time to turn down their road and then we drive for a couple of more miles on a narrow, curving road with no shoulder. Once we get to the deadContinue reading “New Speed Limit”
Maine – Portland: The Old Port and Other Favorites
Now that we have rambled in other parts of the city, we will return to the Old Port with its quaint streets, mid-19th century buildings and layers of Portland history. Boothby Square, just a block up from the waterfront is bordered on one end by the Customs House. It is quintessential Portland with cobblestone streets,Continue reading “Maine – Portland: The Old Port and Other Favorites”
Maine – Portland: Congress Street’s Three Squares
After the leisurely walks we have been taking for the last couple of weeks, we are going to drive down the rest of Congress Street so fasten your seat belts and come along for a colorful narrated ride…. The first thing we see as we cross Franklin Street (also known as the Arterial) is LincolnContinue reading “Maine – Portland: Congress Street’s Three Squares”
Maine – Portland: Congress Street from Munjoy Hill to Federal Street
The longest continuous street in Portland is Congress Street and it runs from Casco Bay all the way out past the Jetport for the entire length of the city. The American Planning Association designated it one of the “Great Places in America.” As they tell the story, the street began “as an access road forContinue reading “Maine – Portland: Congress Street from Munjoy Hill to Federal Street”
Maine – Portland: The Eastern Promenade
Portland is full of parks, but the Eastern Promenade (or “Prom” as locals call it) is the city’s largest park and the jewel in her crown. In the early days of the city, these 78 acres with their spectacular view of Casco Bay were privately owned and were used for grazing cattle. In 1837 theContinue reading “Maine – Portland: The Eastern Promenade”
