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July 2008
Tell us your favorite southern beaches
Are you a sun-worshipper, a castle builder or a wave runner at the beach?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
We finally got the Outer Banks sand out of our swimsuits only to head back to the beach to get them gritty all over again. The girls hadn’t seen my folks since Christmas, so last week we were off to St. Simons for a visit and a bit more sand before school comes round.
St. Simons is my comfort beach. It’s the beach of my childhood, and where all of our children dipped their toes in the ocean before they could stand on their own two feet. It will always be a favorite.
It’s also the place where I developed my beach-going style. Some people plop down on the sand with a good book and an umbrella and stay there all day. They may occasionally walk over to the water and cool their feet. Others are sand people. They dig; they build; they bury. I’m a water person - always have been. Forget the umbrella and the book. Keep your shovels and pails. I just throw a towel somewhere on the sand and jump in the ocean. I could spend the entire day in the water.
William is an all-rounder at the beach. He gets in the water, jumps the waves, then builds an elaborate sandcastle with the kids before relaxing for a while on the sand. After two or three hours, though, he’s ready to go. Our oldest and youngest daughters are mostly sand people. They will venture into knee-deep waters, but are happiest building sand cities and plotting elaborate ways to protect their architectural masterpieces from an ever-advancing Atlantic Ocean. Our middle child is my kindred spirit. If you find her out of the water, she is clearly being punished.
Some beaches are better than others for different kinds of beach bums. Honestly, my daughter and I much preferred the wild waves on the Outer Banks to St. Simons’ calmer waters. Those who like to spend the day sunning or people-watching on the beach probably prefer places like South Beach in Miami or Daytona. Sand aficionados might choose the fine white grains on the Gulf Coast.
What are your top three southern beaches? How do your favorites suit your beach style? What IS your beach style? How do you travel with beachgoers who have opposing beach interests -i.e. you want a quick trip for a dip in the water and they seek an all-day love affair with the sun? Do you have a favorite seaside spot that has it all - good waves, good sand, good people-watching and plenty of activities around for those not inclined to spend the whole day with sand in their swimsuits?
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Best of the Big A: Your favorite one-tank trip?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
On your weekends, do you socialize in Savannah? Chat it up in Chattanooga? If you have a favorite one-tank trip from Atlanta, we’d love to know about it for the “Best of the Big A” awards.
Click here to cast your vote and tell us why you love your one-tank trip.
For more voting in more “Best of the Big A” categories, go to the “Best of the Big A” Web site.
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Heeding Athens’ call…
Tell us your favorite things about the Classic City
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
About once a year, we make the trip from the northern ‘burbs to Athens to meet up with old friends. None of them still live there, but they always pass through Athens whenever they’re in Georgia for a visit. Over the years, our far-flung friends have traveled from their homes in Japan, Poland, California, Colorado, Illinois, Massachusetts, Arizona, Mississippi, Utah and New York to meet up there. When we lived in DC, we too would head for the Classic City any time we set foot in our home state.
So this weekend, we loaded up the girls and drove over for the day to see one of those friends, currently living in Phoenix. We started off downtown with lunch at the Gyro Wrap on Broad Street. It’s a great place to people watch, and it’s a 16-year-old tradition for us that I doubt will ever change.
From there, we walked through downtown before heading across the street and through the arches to the University of Georgia campus. Our older girls understand that only UGA alumni are “allowed” to walk under the arches, and they respectfully walk around the big iron gateway to campus. Our four-year-old thumbs her nose at convention. She willfully walks through the arches and delights in her sisters’ consternation every time.
After a quick campus walkabout in nearly 100-degree heat and a return downtown to contemplate the damage a double-barreled cannon could have caused had it actually worked, we drove out to the State Botanical Garden. We managed to convince the kids that it really wasn’t that hot if they stuck to the shaded paths. With the promise of ice cream at the end of the trail, the girls were able to enjoy all of the beautiful flowers and trees.
A little before dark, we said our goodbyes and headed back to Atlanta. When I sat down at my computer, I saw Clint Williams’ article on making a day trip to Athens. It reminded me of all of the things we didn’t have time to do. Perhaps one of our other friends will come through town soon.
With college football just around the corner, many Atlantans will be heading to Athens. While it’s fun to go back for the games or just to see how (many) things have changed, I agree with Williams’ article that there is so much more to the town than just the university. It’s a road trip I recommend to anyone - even the most ardent Georgia Tech fan.
How often do you make the trek over to Athens? What time of year is your favorite time to visit? What are your “must see” spots in the Classic City? Do you agree or disagree that it has more to offer than just the college or college sports? Where do you stay when you visit Athens? Do you travel there for the music scene or nightlife? What sets Athens apart from other day-trip destinations?
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Tunica: Hold em or fold em?
What else can you do in this Delta gaming spot?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A few months ago, we discussed gambling spots around the region. This week, I want to focus specifically on the southern gambling den of Tunica, Miss.
I’ll say upfront that I’m no gambler. You don’t have to be Kenny Rogers to see my poker face is an open book with large print. I’ve driven by the town of Tunica on my way from Memphis to Oxford, Miss. in the middle of the day and in a bit of a hurry. But if there are any bright lights that illuminate the Delta sky at night, I wouldn’t know about them.
For a while, William would travel there for an annual golf tournament and schmoozefest. Occasionally, he will suggest we head to Tunica for the weekend. I’m not opposed to it, but if I’m going to plan a (rare) child-free getaway, I don’t normally think of taking a gambling trip.
That’s probably because my gambling threshold is pretty low. I enjoy the casino atmosphere and the games themselves - especially hold em poker, but in the end, what I really want to hold onto is my money.
William always sets a limit on what he will spend in the casinos. Once it’s gone, it’s gone. If he comes out ahead, that’s great. If not, he knew upfront what the weekend’s entertainment was going to cost him.
If we’re playing with Monopoly money, I’m in for the entire weekend. But I seem to have a hard time determining the entertainment value of losing real money. Fifteen dollars will only last a couple of minutes in a casino.
I need to find other things to do in Tunica after my luck runs out. I have been looking at several Tunica websites, but I really wanted to get some reliable info from folks who have been there and done that.
Where do you stay in Tunica? What’s your favorite casino and why? How are the restaurants there? Is there any nightlife other than the casinos? Do you spend all of your time at the tables? Do you hit the spas or take in a show? Any advice for a casino novice to make the most of Tunica?
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Are you a fan of the Outer Banks?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
More and more metro Atlantans are sporting the initials of their favorite beaches on the rear windows and bumpers of their cars. While I expect to see the little oval stickers for nearby beaches like HHI (Hilton Head), SSI (St. Simons) and TYB (Tybee Island), I have noticed an increasing number of cars showing Atlantans’ love for the OBX - the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
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I have been intrigued for years by my northern friends’ passion for the string of islands thrust out from the North Carolina coast. They would trek south every year to vacation in places like Duck, Kill Devil Hills and Nags Head. But I never could muster enough enthusiasm to travel nearly 12 hours and pass countless other beautiful beaches along the way — until this year.
After scrapping an ambitious plan to take the kids Down East in Maine, a little trip to Down East, NC really didn’t seem that big of a deal. We decided to get our feet wet with an OBX vacation on the southernmost “bank” - Ocracoke Island (or OINC if you want the bumper sticker).
It was a long, long drive that ended with a nearly 2.5-hour ferry ride across the shallow Pamlico Sound. The narrow island is only accessible by ferries, private boat or air, and only about 800 people live there year-round. Even at the height of summer season, it didn’t feel terribly crowded.
On the southern tip is the small village, the harbor, a beautiful lighthouse and a museum dedicated to the infamous Blackbeard. The pirate often sought refuge on Ocracoke and was killed in battle just off the island’s coast in 1718. In the village, you can eat, drink, shop, fish, parasail, jet ski, kayak, learn to surf or just enjoy a place where most people ditch their cars in favor of bikes. Because the National Park Service owns much of the island, it remains largely undeveloped - in contrast to villages up the Outer Banks where mini-golf, waterslides and vacation houses abound.
A short distance from the village is the lifeguarded beach that was ranked the best beach in the country in 2007, but we spent most of our time up island on nearly-deserted sands further north. Ocean waves were huge; the sand was pure white, the shells plentiful and the dunes stunning. However, the absence of lifeguards means you have to be more careful to avoid strong rip currents there.
After a week of kayaking, boating, and body surfing - plus a very cool day trip up the Outer Banks to check out the Wright Brothers Museum and the Lost Colony of Roanoke - the kids are already planning next year’s trip.
Have you ever visited the Outer Banks? Which area is your favorite? Where do you stay (house/hotel/camping) when you go? Do you think it’s worth the long drive from Georgia?
Click here to upload your photos of Outer Banks. We will be collecting photos of your travels throughout the summer for possible use later.
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Should airlines remove disruptive passengers?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
If you fly a lot, you’ve probably shared a flight with an unruly kid - one who repeatedly kicks your seat or tries to run the length of the aisle.
At least one airline has had enough.
A family was kicked off a Southwest Airlines flight in Phoenix because the children were being too unruly, according to a story on KPHO in Arizona. and CNN.com.
Wendy Slaughter admits her kids were being disruptive. But she said it was their first flight and were excited. She said they were loud and kept walking the aisles. They were asked twice by flight attendants to quiet the children, but they didn’t expect to find themselves grounded, according to news reports.
Slaughter said a son has autism and a daughter has cerebral palsy.
The family complained they were left stranded, although Southwest officials later said they would be reimbursed for the cost of six one-way tickets.
Slaughter said Phoenix police officers detained them and said they would be unable to catch a connecting flight at Sky Harbor International Airport.
Was Southwest right to boot the family from the flight? Should the airlines have been more understanding, given some of the children had disabilities? Have you had a similar experience and how did airline personnel handle the situation?
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Boogie your way through the South
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I travel to the beat of a different drum - literally. A trip on a plane, train or automobile isn’t quite the same without some sort of musical accompaniment, and I can be very picky when I select the music that will become my traveling soundtrack. I firmly believe you have to take care to match the music with the trip. Otherwise you will regret that your tour of the Tyrolean Alps is forever linked with Journey’s “Open Arms”. (Just trust me on this one.)
It’s always easy for me to put together a soundtrack for my travels round the South, however. I just let the destination do the work for me. The South is home to many complex and different types of music that have shaped the lives of the people here. Our landscapes and cityscapes drip with musical mystique, so why not explore the settings that inspired the music on your next road trip?
You don’t have to be a fan. Just sit back, relax and take it all in…
Bring your accordion to LaFayette, La., where Cajun music and Zydeco reign supreme. Head to Vermilionville heritage and folk life park to hear a sample of both types of music.
Check out New Orleans’ many jazz clubs, or stop by Louis Armstrong Park, site of the New Orleans Jazz National Historic Park, where musicians gather to play traditional jazz. If you feel like kicking up your heels, put on your dancing shoes and head out for some Cajun dancing.
Take a tour through Mississippi’s Blues country, with stops in Greenwood (resting place for bluesman Robert Johnson) and Clarksdale (Delta Blues Museum). Don’t forget to stop at the crossroads of highways 61 and 49, where Robert Johnson was said to have sold his soul to become a great performer. Mississippi is also where you’ll find Elvis Presley’s birthplace, museum and chapel in Tupelo.
Just north of the Mississippi line in Memphis, you’ll find many places to whet your whistle for the Blues (Beale Street), early Rock-n-roll (Sun Studio) and of course, The King (Elvis’ Graceland).
Rockabilly fans will enjoy the Rockabilly Hall of Fame in Jackson, Tenn. between Memphis and Nashville.
Country music fans can boot-scootin’ boogie to Nashville to soak up the sights and sounds of the Grand Ole Opry, the Wildhorse Saloon and the Country Music Hall of Fame. Or take in some good ol’ Bluegrass music in Kentucky and mountain music in the northeastern parts of Tennessee.
Or put on some light-hearted, good-time music and drive to South Carolina’s coastal towns like Myrtle Beach to see and hear where beach music and Shag dancing became popular.
Have you ever let the music be your travel guide? Would you consider any of these treks for upcoming travels? Do you prefer to check out the museums at these kinds of places or would you rather spend your time experiencing live music in the cities you visit? What are your favorite music clubs in these cities? Do you know of other music hot spots in the South?
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