Category: Ideas & Thoughts

“Trees are as close to immortality as the rest of us ever come.” ― Karen Joy Fowler   Lately, I’ve been immersed in several creative classes. Since starting them, I’ve been exploring new mediums alcohol inks, colored pencils, acrylic paint, and collage. It’s been a journey of rediscovery and play. When one of the assignments called for photographing and painting trees, I jumped at the chance. I went for a hike here at work, camera in hand; we have over 1200 acres. A few days later, some friends visited, and we spent time wandering around Grey Towers, a nearby National

Roaring Through Time: Exploring Backyard Terrors Dinosaur Park in Bluff City, TN     Nestled in the rolling hills of Bluff City, Tennessee, Backyard Terrors Dinosaur Park is a hidden gem that transports visitors back to the Mesozoic era. This unique roadside attraction, created by local resident Chris Kastner, features over 70 life-sized dinosaur sculptures sprawled across six wooded acres. What began in 2007 with a single dinosaur in Kastner’s backyard has evolved into a sprawling, donation-based park that delights visitors of all ages.   A Labor of Love Chris Kastner’s passion for paleontology and creativity shines through every meticulously

  All Along the Watchtower — A Walk Through Fort Miles     Before I even set foot in Cape Henlopen State Park, the towers had already made an impression. Driving along Route 1 toward Lewes, they appear like sentinels from another time—tall, cylindrical, weathered by salt and sea air, and strangely beautiful. I’d seen them countless times in passing, but this time, I finally stopped to take a closer look.    My visit to Fort Miles began with one of those towers—the kind used during World War II to scan the horizon for enemy ships. From the ground, they

  A Look at Bristol’s Historic Train and Bus Station     Tucked into the fabric of downtown Bristol is a building that doesn’t shout for attention, but if you stop and listen, it tells stories of arrivals, departures, reunions, and goodbyes. This is the old train and bus depot, a relic of a time when Bristol was a bustling stop on the way to somewhere—and sometimes the destination itself.   The Rhythm of Rails and the Road The Bristol Train Station, built in the early 20th century, is a beautiful piece of railroad architecture. With its brick façade, arched

  Bristol: Where a Few Recordings Changed Everything     Long before Nashville claimed the spotlight, Bristol made history. In 1927, a series of recordings took place here that would forever change the sound of American music. Known as the Bristol Sessions, these recordings captured the voices of everyday people—farmers, preachers, families singing the songs they knew by heart.   It was during these sessions that the world first heard the Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers, two acts whose influence on country music can still be felt today. Some call it the “big bang” of country music and it happened

  Where the land meets the bay, and the world slows down.     Just west of Indian River Marina, surrounded by the shimmering inlets of Rehoboth Bay, Burton Island feels like a secret whispered among coastal breezes. Part of Delaware Seashore State Park, the island is accessible by foot via a short causeway—and it’s a must-visit for anyone craving a peaceful connection to nature.   A Marshland Sanctuary, Burton Island isn’t large, but it’s wonderfully diverse. The 1.5-mile Burton Island Trail loops around the island, offering sweeping views of tidal marshes, pockets of coastal forest, and rich bird habitats.

  The Place Where Two States Meet!   Bristol is a place unlike any other.  A city split by a state line, yet united by history, culture, and a creative community. Walk down State Street and you’re in two places at once: Tennessee on one side, Virginia on the other. But the heart of this unique town is best introduced by the towering electric sign that proudly declares: “Bristol: A Good Place to Live.” This iconic sign, perched above State Street since 1910, has become the unofficial greeter of locals and travelers alike. Originally advertising a land development, it was