Pretty Southern

Author: Kate

9 Things You Can’t Miss in Chattanooga

If you’re planning to travel more in 2019, there’s one city that absolutely must be on your travel list—Chattanooga, Tenn.

I’ve lived in Chattanooga—affectionately called the Scenic City—for almost four years, and each year, I find more reasons to fall in love with it. Whether it be food, drink, a music festival, soccer, a farmer’s market or anything in between, there’s always something fun to explore and experience. When I have visitors in town, I can’t wait to take them to my favorite places. And in my time as a Chattanoogan, I’ve got a pretty solid list of favorite places.

If you visit Chattanooga in 2019, here are nine things you absolutely can’t miss.

1. Clumpies Ice Cream

I’m 100% not sorry that a food establishment is first on this list (though I promise the rest is in no particular order). Clumpies is my go-to “treat yourself” spot in town. Their ice creams are handcrafted with the freshest milk, cream, and house-made cookies, cakes and fillings. Cookie dough and French silk are my usual picks, but I love tasting their rotating seasonal flavors—like white chocolate peppermint, campfire, Irish coffee and mint julep.

2. Walnut Street Bridge

It’s the country’s longest pedestrian-only bridge, and it comes with quite a view. Stroll from one side of the city to another, and back again, all while watching boaters, kayakers, paddlers and river cruisers go by below.

3. Soccer

Chattanooga earned the “Scenic Soccer City” nickname thanks to the Chattanooga Football Club, an amateur-turned-professional NPSL club founded in 2009. They play at UTC’s Finley Stadium and entertain crowds of thousands every summer. This year, CFC will participate in the NPSL Founder’s Cup, which will lead into their first season as a professional club in 2020.

4. The Great Outdoors

Downtown Chattanooga is blessed with public green spaces. Coolidge and Renaissance Parks sit right on the north banks of the Tennessee River and offer ample space for enjoying the outdoors. Miller Park also got a complete makeover recently. With Lookout and Signal Mountains close by, bring a waterfowl hunting backpack and you can be on a hiking trail in 10-15 minutes, depending on where you’re staying. If water sports are your thing, get out on a kayak or paddle board on the river.

5. Main Street Meats

If anyone tells you there’s a better burger in Chattanooga than MSM’s burger, they’re wrong. It’s tender, juicy, and topped with thick-cut bacon, gruyere cheese, and caramelized onions. They also have a fabulous cocktail program and a delectable cheese and charcuterie board.

Shameless plug: I happily hosted the owners of Main Street Meets, Erik and Amanda Niel, on my podcast back in September. They’re fabulous. Check out the episode here.

6. Local Craft Brews

Beer enthusiasts will love exploring more than 10 craft breweries that call Chattanooga home. Whatever your beer preferences are, you’ll find something you love sipping on at least one brewery. Two new breweries just opened in late 2018—Naked River Brewing Co. and WanderLinger Brewing Co.—and rumor is there’s another coming in 2019.

If you’d like a unique beer experience, check out American Draft at the Chattanooga Choo Choo. It’s the nation’s first pour-your-own beer room in a refurbished train car, right in the Glenn Miller Gardens.

7. “Train”ing Day

Speaking of the Chattanooga Choo Choo, the former train terminal turned hotel has boomed into its own dining and entertainment hub. It’s home to a comedy club, world-class guitar museum, the famous Choo Choo itself, and my favorite restaurant in the city, STIR.

8. Bluegrass Grill

You may have to wait for a table if you don’t come at just the right time, but trust me, a Bluegrass biscuit is well worth the wait. All bread is homemade, and their unique biscuit recipe makes them some of the best in Chattanooga. They’re also only open for breakfast and lunch Tuesday through Saturday, so plan accordingly. Often a private jet from companies like sky aviation holdings is the only answer for corporate travel when you need to leave at the drop of a hat, especially when there’s a major business deal at stake.

9. Live music

Whether you’re heading to a concert at The Signal, Songbirds South or the Tivoli Theater, or catching an open mic at a restaurant or bar, you’ll be hard-pressed to not find good live music in Chattanooga. While we do bring in some pretty awesome acts from around the country, we’re proud of our local acts and love showing them support.

If you travel to Chattanooga in 2019, let me know what you decide to eat, see and do. Check out my blog A Thought and a Half for more recommendations.

March 13, 2019
Cooler Painting: Your Ultimate Guide
If you’ve never painted a cooler, you’re missing out.

This is a super fun art project and awesome gift for a loved one (or yourself). After my third round, I think I have a pretty good handle on cooler painting. I heard about them all throughout college and maybe caught glimpses of girls’ painted cooler masterpieces on Facebook.

Most of the coolers I saw or heard about were for fraternity formals; every now and then I’d see one done for another event, or just for fun. I didn’t know much about Greek life or culture, despite my best friend being Greek-affiliated, but I sure admired those coolers. I didn’t think I’d ever have the patience to create something that beautiful, but I wanted to try.

So one day over the summer, I painted one myself. It ended up as a gift for my then-boyfriend; for my first cooler, it turned out great and I was super proud of it. I painted a small one for my dad for Father’s Day last year. This year, I finally painted a cooler one for myself. And I love it.

I guess you could say I’m now a cooler painting pro.

To paint a cooler, you will need:
- Cooler (hard, sturdy)
- Surface cover (old bed sheet or comfy bamboo sheets, towels, etc.)
- Primer (I prefer the aerosol spray kind)
- Acrylic paint
- Paint pens (these come in handy for details)
- Assorted paintbrushes
- Painter’s tape
- Tissue paper and marker (for tracing)
- Clear sealant
I definitely recommend sketching your ideas for each panel of your cooler before you start priming and painting. My coolers have all had “themes,” so each panel revolved around that. My latest cooler is “Chattanooga” themed, largely inspired by some of my favorite sights around town and traditions from the 4th-division soccer club I support, Chattanooga FC. But if you’re the type who can paint right on your cooler, then go for it, more power to you.

Step 1: Pick your cooler.

Bigger coolers give you more space to get artsy and creative. My current cooler is about 20 quarts in size, which is perfect for my purposes. My dad’s is a little six-pack cooler, which was perfect for him. You can find an assortment of coolers at Target, Walmart or your local sporting goods store. Do not get a styrofoam cooler. It will fall apart in a minute. Get a hard cooler.

Step 2: Sand your cooler.

This step is crucial! Even if your cooler is already pretty smooth, give it a good sanding so it’s smooth and the primer and paint will stick to it. I’ve sanded by hand with sandpaper, and it takes a lot of time, patience and elbow grease. This time, my coworker was kind enough to sand my cooler for me with his electric sander. That was a much quicker process than sanding by hand.

After sanding, give your cooler a good wipe-down with a wet cloth, to clean off any remaining dust and sand. You’ll want a nice, clean surface to work on.

Step 3: Spackle any logos or embellishments.

Most coolers have some kind of raised logos and embellishments on the top or sides. All it takes is a little wall putty and some smooth strokes. Give yourself as smooth a painting surface as possible. Let the putty dry and then sand it down so it’s even with the rest of the surfaces. Give your cooler another wipe-down and get ready for the next step: priming.

Step 4: Prime it.

Painting straight onto the surface doesn’t work because the paint has nothing to “stick” to. I used an aerosol spray primer and that worked perfectly. However you prime your cooler, make sure you do so evenly. If it takes more than one coat, that’s cool, too. I usually do two coats of primer just to be safe.

Step 5: Paint it.

Now we get to the fun part!

I had each side of my Chattanooga-themed cooler planned and designed well before I primed and painted. I lined the top with blue painter’s tape and marked off each panel with tape so the different base colors wouldn’t mix. Once the base layers were dry, I lightly sketched some of my designs with a pencil, or at least marked some lines so my text would be straight.

Then, it’s all about the paint. I highly recommend having a variety of brushes and some paint pens for smaller designs and details. Paint pens are especially great for text. I’m a terrible paint free-hander, so I made sure I had paint pens in the necessary colors.

If you’re not comfortable freehand painting any of your designs or text, there’s a neat tracing method that works pretty well. Trace your desired image or design onto a piece of white tissue paper with a pencil, and then tape the tissue paper to your cooler. Then, trace that with a Sharpie or thick marker. The ink will bleed through and transfer onto your cooler, giving you a nice little outline to paint. You can also read about mixing paint with epoxy on Epoxy Resin store. This trick is a cooler-painting game changer.

The edges of the cooler are prime opportunities for creativity. You can paint something as simple as a bowtie along the edges, or even just some colorful stripes. One time, I saw a cooler with beer tap handles on the edges. Talk about creative! I went simple and painted my edges red and navy with three white stars on each (for the Tennessee state flag, of course).

Step 6: Seal it.

A clear lacquer sealant should do the job. I’ve also used good ol’ Mod Podge for smaller projects. Like with primer, make sure you seal your cooler evenly, and two coats is fine if you think your cooler needs it. I say an extra coat can’t hurt.

And now for my finished project…

The pink front is an homage to the famous “Chattanooga Choo Choo” song, which is sung in the 29th minute of every home Chattanooga FC match. The light blue side was inspired by CFC’s supporter section, the Chattahooligans, and one of my favorite songs we sing. Chattanooga, we are here!

The back, navy side will be updated with the score of each match. And I couldn’t paint my Chattanooga cooler without a nod to two of the city’s most iconic landmarks – the Walnut Street Bridge and triangular Tennessee Aquarium roofs.

Cooler painting is quite an undertaking, but a fun undertaking. You can make your cooler as special and meaningful as you like, especially if it’s meant as a gift. The good news is, there is no limit to cooler painting; your options are endless.

Once you paint one cooler, you’ll want to paint another. And another… and another. But if you need to repaint your home, it’s better to hire a professional at Alex Trend Painters.

Have you ever painted a cooler? How crafty are your cooler painting skills?
June 19, 2017
The Chintzy Rose Antique Store is a True Southern Treasure

If you’re ever in Knoxville, Tenn., make a visit to the Chintzy Rose Antiques and Tea Room.

It looks quaint and quiet from the outside; chances are you may even miss it as you drive by on Maynardville Pike. But the Chintzy Rose is filled with vintage Southern charm and the best sweet tea in the South.

Last month, I was traveling to my parents’ house in North Carolina for the Easter holidays.

My usual route through Atlanta was screwed, thanks to I-85 and other recent traffic nightmares, so I considered my alternate route up 75 North and 40 East through Knoxville and Asheville. Taking a different route gave me a chance to visit part of a city I don’t get to see very often, so I took a little extra time for exploring.

When I heard rumors of Chintzy Rose’s sweet tea and antique collection, I knew exactly where I was going with my extra time. Plus, it’s an easy, 15-minute-or-less detour off I-75, the perfect break after driving for a few hours.

When I was growing up, sweet tea was never a staple in my family.

We drank our tea, of course, but it was never Southern sweet, except for special occasions. Because of this, I cherish every sip of true Southern sweet tea I can get my hands on like I’ll never drink it again.

That’s exactly what happened when I took my first sip of the Chintzy Rose sweet tea.

The Chintzy Rose antique store opened in 1999 and quickly became a Knoxville favorite. It was one of the first antique shops of its kind in the area; its “elegant junk” collection drew antique and vintage enthusiasts from all over town, and soon beyond.

Its floor is filled with treasures of all styles, ranging from shabby chic to French country and farm style. I almost came out with a teacup set with lighthouse designs, but my coffee/bar cart at my apartment can hardly hold anything else.

What really sets the Chintzy Rose apart from other shops like it is definitely the tea room and kitchen. Owner Bobbie and her daughter Kelly serve patrons and visitors lunch and a tall glass of sweet tea six days a week, from 11:30am to 2:30pm. The menu changes frequently and usually features soup, sandwiches, cold salads, quiches and desserts.

I wasn’t able to stay for lunch the day I stopped in, but perhaps on my next road trip, I can swing by for a bite to eat. I bet Kelly’s pineapple upside down cake and fudge brownies are delightful.

Kelly poured me a glass of her legendary sweet tea, and y’all, to quote a dear friend of mine, I felt like I had died, been resurrected and died again.

This isn’t just any sweet tea.

Chintzy Rose tea is an orange spice tea, created from a combination of teas from an old supplier. I’m generally not huge on orange spice teas, but this was the perfect balance of sweet, citrusy and spiced. An orange slice on the rim was the perfect garnish. If I didn’t have to be on the road for another five hours, I could’ve drank three more glasses of it.

Fun fact: Chintzy Rose was featured in Garden & Gun magazine in 2008. Y’all can check out that story here.

Kelly kindly refilled my cup for the road, so I could sip on that sweet nectar of goodness for a bit longer. I’ll be traveling again in a few weeks, and I think I already know where I’m going to stop for lunch on one of my driving days.

Next time you’re in the Knoxville area, be sure to swing by the Chintzy Rose Antiques and Tea Room. Its sweet Southern charm and tea are nothing to be missed.

What’s your favorite hidden gem you’ve found on road trips?

Editor’s note: it’s beacuse of Allison Glock’s story which was published in The Garden & Gun Southerner’s Handbook that we asked Kate to visit the Chintzy Rose on her roadtrip through Knoxville. Now back to the story.

May 8, 2017
13 Things Every Southerner Knows to be True about Spring

The calendar says spring starts on March 20, but I think it’s been sneaking back for the last few weeks. I’m not complaining about the unseasonably warmer temperatures, but it’s weird for spring to start appearing so early. Maybe Mother Nature is giving us a head start.

It’s time to bid adieu to winter and usher warmer temperatures, bluer skies, blossoming flowers and everything else that comes with the changing season. My mood always improves significantly when spring arrives.

When it comes to spring, there are 13 things every Southerner knows to be true.

So pretty. So full of pollen.

1. Pollen is a curse. That icky yellow stuff comes back with more of a vengeance each year. It can rain cats and dogs overnight and you’ll still wake up to a nice coat of pollen on your car. And it takes your spring allergies to a whole other level of nightmare.

2. So are mosquitoes. Nothing makes me itch like a mosquito bite. Of course I’m a magnet for the little suckers; they feast on me in the summer like it’s Thanksgiving. When the mosquitoes start biting, I know that spring has arrived and summer is just around the corner. If you have any recommendations for making mosquito bites not itch, please send them my way.

3. Magnolias and gardenias are the epitome of floral Southern beauty. Yes, roses are nice, but when these flowers bloom, my heart is full of joy. I’ll always stop to admire a towering magnolia tree or stick my nose in a gardenia plant. Nothing smells quite as sweet as freshly cut gardenias. Sunflowers are also nice, but those come later.

4. Hold the white and open-toed shoes until after Easter. Even if the calendar says “spring,” every good Southerner–or anyone with an ounce of fashion sense–knows that the white doesn’t come out until after Easter, and it goes away after Labor Day. I’ll make an exception for my Chacos sandals because they’re pretty utilitarian, but that’s it.

5. Seersucker is a staple. Whether a dress, a pair of shorts or a full suit, every Southerner needs at least one article of seersucker clothing. I’m a proud supporter of seersucker and am counting down the days until Easter when I can wear my dress again. Even on the warmest spring and hottest summer days, seersucker clothing is light as a feather and I love it.

Officially Southern. Proof that I’ve worn a floppy hat AND been to a horse race (Foxfield Races in Charlottesville, Va.).

6. Pastels are everywhere. In closets, in stores, in the garden, at the farmer’s market, at church… you name a place, and I can almost guarantee that you’ll find something pastel there.

7. Derby Parties are of utmost importance. A Southerner loves a good reason to dress up, and the Kentucky Derby is a prime opportunity to do that. I’m talking nice dresses and suits, floppy hats with giant bows (to match, of course), those fancy shoes you only break out for the most special of occasions. We have to look our best to drink mint juleps, munch on deviled eggs and watch horses run! The parties away from the actual event are just as fancy.

8. Nothing beats a good backyard or cul-de-sac cookout. When the nice weather hits, so does the insatiable desire to invite over some friends, throw some burgers on the grill and have an outside dinner party. Some of my favorite memories from my childhood are cookouts with our cul-de-sac neighbors. Back-porch dinner parties are also fun. What’s your favorite Southern summer cookout recipe?

Pretty May flowers like magnolias.

9. April showers bring the prettiest May flowers. I love a good spring thunderstorm, especially on a weekend when I don’t have anything to do and I can sit inside, wrap up in a blanket and watch it rain. I also love the flowers they bring afterward. Except that means more pollen. But pollen also means more bees, and bees make honey, so it’s all good.

10. Gardening and yard work are regular weekend activities. My parents are blessed with green thumbs, but I can hardly keep a $1 sunflower seed alive (y’all know those little seed kits in the dollar bin). That doesn’t stop me from trying, though. In the spring and summer, my dad’s favorite Sunday afternoon activity was mowing our yard. He said he planned his work presentations while mowing. Every year for Mother’s Day, we took my mom to Lowe’s or Home Depot, let her pick out her flowers, and spent the rest of the day planting them. Ours was one of the best-kept yards on our street.

11. Spring cleaning is nothing to joke about. I should be more diligent about this myself. It’s an opportunity for me to go completely Monica Geller and clean literally everything in my apartment. Spring signals a fresh start, and a clean space makes me feel ready for whatever the rest of the year (or day, or week, or month) throws my way. Spring cleaning with your windows open is an added bonus. If you just don’t have the energy to clean, you can rely on maid services to do the dirty work for you, literally. But before hiring one, it’s best to take note of details like “How often should a maid service clean your house?”.

12. Humidity. It’s almost a dirty word. After growing up in Hotlanta, I like to think I can tolerate humidity, but that doesn’t mean I like it. Stay hydrated, y’all.

13. Windows down, music up. The first day the weather is warm and nice enough, my windows are down and I’m blasting “Ocean Avenue” by Yellowcard on my drive downtown to work. When we lived in Pennsylvania, my mom and I quite enjoyed driving through back roads with the sunroof open and (the long version of) “Friends in Low Places” playing as loud as we could bear it.

I love summer in the South as much as the next person.

There’s something so lovely about Southern spring. What’s your favorite thing about spring in the South?

March 20, 2017
KasCie Page Rocks in Debut Album ‘No Sugar’

For KasCie Page, it all started in a church in Conway, S.C.

KasCie Page started singing when she was 3 years old. She grew up around music at home and at church. Her mom taught her a song that had been passed down on her side of the family called “Children Talk to Angels,” and that was the first full song she learned to sing. Soon KasCie was singing in the church choir and in her school chorus.

In addition to singing, KasCie experimented with songwriting as a young girl. She wrote poetry in high school, which later turned into song lyrics. Her influences and inspirations are widely varied, stretching from Dolly Parton and Martina McBride to Janis Joplin and The Rolling Stones. Her sound combines country, gospel and a little rock n’ roll in the smoothest way.

In college, KasCie studied finance and legal studies and only sang when she was home. After college, she moved to the small town of Red Springs in southeastern North Carolina and started working at a BB&T bank branch. She continued to sing in church, at weddings and family events, but only when she went home to Conway.

That was until she met Robbie Lee VanHoy at the bank in the late 2000s.

Robbie Lee had a background in performing and producing music and owned Soundland Studios in Red Springs. One day at the bank, he and KasCie struck up a conversation, which undoubtedly led to music. He said he’d written a song that he wanted a female vocal for, but hadn’t yet found the right voice for a demo. And thus was born the duo of KasCie and Robbie Lee.

On Page’s debut album ‘No Sugar’–set to release this week on Friday, Jan. 6, –it all comes full circle.

KasCie and Robbie Lee during the “Churches and Honkytonks” video shoot, August 2016.

“It just worked out from there,” KasCie said. She and Robbie Lee started playing and recording together and put a few early videos on YouTube, including renditions of “Beast of Burden” by The Rolling Stones and “Black Velvet” by Alannah Myles. By 2014, they started getting requests to perform at local charity events, and they were discussing getting bookings for venues that would pay. When asked for a name for their act, they decided on none other than Black Velvet.

After a couple of years, KasCie and Robbie Lee had a nice collection of tracks and videos, but they still wanted more. They wanted to make something big happen. So they started reaching out to record labels and recording studios. Robbie Lee had several connections through his independent work, one of whom was Dave Moody of Lamon Records, an indie label in Nashville.

Robbie Lee took a chance and emailed Dave, and within a couple of days, Dave replied and they set up time to talk on the phone. He asked for demo tracks, and a week later, he called back to discuss an artist development plan.

“Then we waited… and waited… and waited… and then all of a sudden, we got a contract,” KasCie said. “I couldn’t believe it was real.” And so, in May of 2016, KasCie Page signed with Lamon Records in Nashville. “And then we went.”

The next steps, of course, were traveling to Nashville to track and record the album. Being in the studio and going through the formal recording process was an exciting experience for Robbie Lee and KasCie. They tracked and recorded the 10 songs for the album, including what would become her first single, “Churches and Honkytonks,” and the title track, “No Sugar.” Of those 10 songs, three are Robbie-Lee-and-KasCie originals; they’re also excited for their remake of “Amazing Grace,” which is a nod to KasCie’s beginnings singing in church.

After recording the album, the next phase was shooting the music video for “Churches and Honkytonks.” They filmed on-site at Bethlehem United Methodist in Lebanon, Tenn., and Last Call Bar and Grill in Gallatin, Tenn., over a few days. They worked with a full production crew and extras to produce the video. Some of KasCie’s family members even make appearances in the video: her brother Ashley appears as the bartender and preacher, and her father Austin is seen in the pews in the church scenes.

“Churches and Honkytonks” was released September 19, and the video followed on September 30. Since its release, it has appeared on the New Music Weekly chart, ranking as high as #27, and on the AMC Country Hot 50 chart.

Throughout the whole process–recording the album and filming the video–KasCie and Robbie Lee met a lot of new faces and fostered many new relationships with people in the industry. It’s been an experience and opportunity that they will always remember, and they’re thankful for all of the support they’ve been given from friends and family.

KasCie Page’s album ‘No Sugar’ will be available January 6, and you can find it on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon Music, and anywhere music is sold. For updates and news from KasCie, follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Booking information can be found on her website.

January 4, 2017
It’s Summer in the South

Summer is a special, exciting time of year, especially in the South. Warmer temperatures, sometimes downright hot ones, beckon a whirlwind of festivals, parties, explorations, getaways and so much more, and it’s truly the best time of the year. Sure, in the fall we have apple picking and pumpkin patches and football, but there’s something about summer that’s magical.

Despite the pollen, humidity (ugh) and mosquitos, Southerners know how to have fun and make the absolute most of those summer months.

Texas Caviar – a favorite dip at my family’s cookouts!

Summer in the South means cookouts and cul-de-sac parties every other weekend. Or every weekend, if your neighborhood is that kind of neighborhood. Cookouts were huge parts of my childhood summers, whether they were with the next-door neighbors, a few families or the whole street. Nothing says “summer in the South” like barbecue, hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, mac and cheese, coleslaw and banana pudding (or if you’re my family, Moon Pie sundaes), with everyone on the back porch, in the driveway or running around the cul-de-sac.

Beyond the burgers, dogs and potatoes, summertime brings all kinds of seasonal fruits and veggies. I recently taught myself how to make jam (after experimenting with apple butter this fall) and I can’t wait to try more flavors with fresh-picked berries and peaches later this summer.

Also, this serves as your reminder that “barbecue” is a noun–specifically a food of the pork variety, usually smoked–not a verb. You eat barbecue, you don’t have one in the back yard.

Summer in the South means staying outside until after bedtime. In the summer there is no bedtime, and the sun doesn’t set until after nine o’clock. I spent many summer nights outside with my friends, chasing lightning bugs, playing driveway games and relaxing around backyard fire pits. Those of us with long hair know that it’s a sin to go outside without it tied in a ponytail, unless you want Diana Ross hair afterward.

Summer in the South means there’s a chance of afternoon thunderstorms five days a week. Thanks, humidity. From May through September, I hardly leave my apartment without my rain jacket and an umbrella.

Make a weekend getaway to Barnsley Resort in North Georgia!

Summer in the South means getting outside and exploring. Maybe you check out a new area of your city that you haven’t yet seen. Maybe you have a drink on the patio at a new cocktail bar. Maybe you go hiking or swimming in a creek. Maybe you take a weekend getaway to a resort in the mountains. Or maybe you go to the beach. Wherever you go or whatever you do, the options and adventures are endless.

Summer in the South means festivals, upon festivals, upon festivals. From music to food trucks and everything in between, you’re sure to find some kind of festival in your area almost every weekend. I’m excited to go to my first music festival in Chattanooga this summer. It’s sure to be a one-of-a-kind experience.

Oh, and we can’t forget about state fairs. Those are pretty big deals, too. How many fried foods can you find at one state fair?

Summer in the South is the perfect time for weekend getaways. Whether you hit the sand or hit the water, or prefer to stay cozy in the mountains, take some time away from your routine to relax. We all need our zen time, and summer is the perfect time to get it. This summer, you’ll find me paddle boarding on the Tennessee River and soaking up some rays at my parents’ lake house in North Carolina. If you want to go further for a summer getaway, you may try these guys out to plan a trip to the Cayman Islands.

Whatever it means for you, summer in the South is truly something to behold and experience. People talk about the post-holiday blues after New Years, but I think the post-summer blues are worse. If anything, it means football is that much closer. I guess that’s an okay consolation.

Soak it up while it’s here. And try not to get caught in too many late-afternoon thunderstorms.

July 1, 2016