My first visit to Savannah was just a two-day weekend getaway. My final stop on the last day before leaving the city was the rooftop of a parking garage. From my vantage point, I watched a colorful sunset develop in the sky across the historic city. It was the best final moment I could have hoped to see. Since then, I have returned to Savannah for two more weekend getaways. Each time, I travel around the city with a tour map in one hand and my camera in the other. I don’t walk very far without snapping a photo or two, sometimes three or more. Savannah is a photographically gorgeous city. Lush ..read more

There are exactly two ways to get from Gatlinburg to Asheville: the boring route and the scenic route. One involves travel on an interstate highway while the other involves the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Can you guess which route I’m about to layout for you in this road trip itinerary? The fastest route from Gatlinburg, Tennessee to Asheville, North Carolina is to take Interstate 40 through a gap in the mountains. That drive takes a little under two hours and is so boring I’m starting to yawn just typing this. Honestly, though, I find the route a little bit ..read more

There was a moment where the road touched the sky. Of course, my car was still firmly affixed to the pavement, but it was still exhilarating all the same. Beyond the road, across a valley, the Great Smoky Mountains spread across the horizon like a scene in a coffee table photo book. Welcome to the Foothills Parkway. I love exploring maps. It’s my favorite way to discover exciting road trip routes, points of interest, and off the beaten path destinations. My first visit to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was in 2013; three years later, I returned for my third visit and spent a week in G ..read more

It took me many years of traveling across Virginia before I finally drove the Skyline Drive through Shenandoah National Park. I did the entire drive in a single day during that first adventure, but two years later I returned for three days. Scenic overlooks, gorgeous visitor centers, and a few hiking trails were enjoyed during that adventure! Here are some of my favorite photos I have captured in Shenandoah National Park. The post Favorite Travel Photos of Shenandoah National Park appeared first on Road Trips & Coffee Travel Blog ..read more

Any visit to Charleston will almost inevitably involve a trip across the Cooper River into Mount Pleasant. It might be as simple as a drive across the Arthur Ravenel Bridge, or maybe a day spent at Patriots Point. But one thing is sure: a visit to Charleston without a trip into Mount Pleasant would mean missing all the thrilling things to do there. Sunset across the fishing pier at the Mount Pleasant Memorial Park. No. 1 Go for a Walk at the Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park You’ve probably seen pictures of the iconic cable-stayed bridge spanning the river between Mount Pleasant and C ..read more

When I was a kid on family vacation, I sat in the backseat of the car with nothing more than a paper map and a pen to trace our route. I always knew where I was, and where we were going, but nothing else. Today’s world is different; road trips are dominated by mobile apps and GPS devices meant to connect us to the world before we even arrive. But which apps do you really need? These are my favorite apps that I use almost daily when road tripping. I’ve had most of these for years now, but I’m always looking for something new to develop. Here are my favorite apps for road trips. Road Trip Plann ..read more

“Have you driven the Skyline Drive yet?” I don’t know how many times the grandmother asked me that question before I could finally say, “Yes, I have driven it end to end.” Since that first whirlwind trip through Shenandoah National Park, driving the Skyline Drive from Front Royal to Waynesboro, I have since returned twice and spent five days on the scenic highway. My first visit was in 2016, just as the fall colors were beginning to peak. I was on a road trip from Syracuse, New York to Chattanooga, Tennessee along the Appalachian Mountains. It was actually my first big road trip, so naturally ..read more

Just about any search for things to do in Charleston includes a visit to Rainbow Row. The string of thirteen pastel-colored rowhouses is one of the most popular places in the city for photography. But beyond the iconic color scheme, what makes Rainbow Row such an interesting place to visit? As I began to write a simple travel guide on how to visit Rainbow Row, I quickly realized there was a fascinating story behind it. The houses of Rainbow Row are not architecturally significant; however, the history connected with the homes has had a lasting impact throughout Charleston. Here is my travel gu ..read more

As I walked along the shady sidewalk through town, every person I passed nodded, smiled, and asked, “How you doin?” Renovated old buildings with gorgeous facades lined both sides of the brick-laden street. Local business owners beckoned me with warm smiles to come inside and explore their shops. It really didn’t take long for me to discover the southern charm of Thomasville, Georgia. The southern charm didn’t end there. I spent a long weekend exploring the history of the town, visiting the local shops and plantations, and discovering fantastic local food. And of course, there were oak trees, p ..read more

South Carolina Ultimate Outsider This blog post is part of my South Carolina Ultimate Outsider series. The series chronicles my adventures in South Carolina state parks as I endeavor to become the Ultimate Outsider, a title given to someone who has visited all 47 parks in the state. Learn More My lungs involuntarily sucked in a deep breath. It’s the kind of thing you do when you are unequivocally happy. Leaning on the black metal fence, with towering trees a few hundred feet below, I enjoyed the endless view of the Appalachian Mountain foothills. And just to think I almost didn’t go to Ca ..read more