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
Category: My Photography Blog
Blog about my hikes, outings, travels, adventures, and photography.
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
Waves and Whispers Cape Henlopen Coastal Quiet There’s something magical about standing at the edge of the Atlantic Ocean at Cape Henlopen State Park. The wind smells like salt and sun. Gulls cry overhead, and the waves tumble in with steady rhythm, rewriting the sand with each touch. This is a place where the everyday world fades, replaced by the simple awe of the water meeting the land and sky. Cape Henlopen beach is more than just beautiful, it feels wild, in the best way. Sand dunes stretch along the coast like natural sculptures, crowned with
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.
Bristol’s Stage, The Paramount Theater As you walk through downtown Bristol, it’s impossible to miss the Paramount Theater. Its grand marquee glows with vintage elegance, inviting passersby to step into another time and into a building that’s been at the heart of Bristol’s cultural life for generations. While I only have two images of this Bristol landmark, I had to give it its own post. The Paramount is more than just photogenic, it’s iconic. Even with just a couple of shots, the spirit of the place comes through. It deserves its own spotlight in this series,
A Walk Down State Street, the Heart of Bristol Tennessee After standing beneath the glowing welcome of the Bristol TN/VA sign, it only feels right to keep moving—right down the center of town along State Street. This is where Bristol truly comes alive. Two States, One Street State Street is more than just a clever geographical quirk; it’s a living example of how a community can bridge borders. One side of the road is Tennessee, the other Virginia, but the street itself belongs to everyone. It’s lined with local businesses, eateries, boutiques, music venues, and galleries, each
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
Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium is a place where nature, science, and quiet wonder come together. On my recent vacation, I found myself unexpectedly enchanted not only by the sweeping landscape and serene lake but also by the park’s quieter gems, like its small zoo and wildlife rehabilitation efforts. The park spans over 3,700 acres. Dense forest trails wind through the hills, opening occasionally to breathtaking views of the lake formed by the Bays Mountain Dam. Built in the early 1900s, the dam adds a quiet grandeur to the landscape, its curved stone face and still waters