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ICE! at Gaylord Opryland: A Nashville Holiday Tradition

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Year after year, the Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville offers an incredible Christmas experience. Between the stunning decorations and the endless activities, it truly is a winter wonderland. Every few years, we make a point to visit the ICE! exhibit and spend the evening wandering through the hotel’s festive displays. One of our first experiences at ICE! was the Peanuts themed exhibit back in 2017. It was amazing to see larger-than-life ice sculptures of Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, and the rest of the gang. This year, the exhibit featured the holiday classic, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer . The most impressive sculpture, in my opinion, was the monstrous Abominable Snow Monster, which stood roughly 18 feet tall! Another favorite was the scene depicting Santa in his sleigh, pulled by his team of reindeer with Rudolph leading the way. Altogether, it takes about 30 to 45 minutes to walk through the exhibit at a leisurely pace—including a few trips down the signature ice slides! Pr...

Jubilee Deep Sea Fishing Review: Panama City, FL

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Deep-sea fishing during our fall vacation is quickly becoming a family tradition. This past fall, we spent a week in Panama City Beach, Florida, and the fishing did not disappoint. After doing our research, we settled on Jubilee Deep-Sea Fishing , and the entire experience was top-notch. The fishing was great, the crew was friendly, and the boat was spotless! Getting Started We stuck with our tried-and-true plan: grabbing biscuits and coffee from the McDonald's drive-thru. We arrived at the dock on time, and the check-in process was seamless. Prior to boarding the Jubilee —a 90-foot party boat—the captain gathered everyone together. This was the first time we’d had a pre-trip briefing like this, and I really liked it. He covered safety instructions, mentioned the onboard concessions, and gave us an update on sea conditions. Based on his report, I only took a quarter of a Dramamine and felt totally fine the entire trip. A Family-Friendly Atmosphere The captain also emphasized that J...

Miles Through Time, Car Museum and Antique Store

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If you are searching for info and reviews about Miles Through Time , there is a good chance you’re interested in the automotive museum. This hidden gem boasts a wide variety of vintage machinery: Model T Fords, hot rods, military vehicles, race cars, and motorcycles. There is even a massive collection of vintage pedal cars and model kits if you are into nostalgic toys. At the start of the tour, many of the vehicles are set within period-accurate scenes. You’ll walk past a general store, a barber shop, and even a jail while taking in an impressive line of Model Ts. With each step, it feels as if you are literally taking a stroll through time. It’s a fantastic concept, and I hope the owners continue to expand on these immersive displays. Whether you’re looking for a trip down memory lane or a glimpse into the past, plan to spend at least an hour here. It took us a bit longer than that, but since it is a self-guided tour, we felt no rush to leave. While I can’t recall the exact admission...

Bizarre Sea Creature, The Sea Robin

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The Sea Robin is a truly magnificent specimen and a perfect fit for our "Bizarre" series. While fishing about 8–10 miles offshore in 100 feet of water, we pulled up this vibrant, otherworldly creature. Even our deckhand—a Gulf Coast veteran—was surprised, noting he’d only seen about five in his entire career. This rare beauty doesn't just boast stunning, wing-like fins; as you can see in the photo below, it also features tiny "legs" that it uses to crawl along the seafloor in search of its next meal.  Updated 3/6/2026

Freeport Cafe Review, Freeport Florida, Delicious Burger!

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If you find yourself cruising about 30 minutes outside of Panama City Beach, there is a local treasure you shouldn’t miss. Freeport Cafe is the ultimate pitstop to grab a legendary burger—and since it’s a short drive from the coast, you’ll actually have time to let it settle before hitting the sand. First Impressions (Why You Should Stop) To be completely honest? The building is a total dive. It’s small, a bit weathered, and looks like the kind of place you might drive past without a second thought. In fact, if we hadn't been absolutely starving, we might have kept right on going. The moment you step inside, the vibe shifts completely. The interior is clean, inviting, and decorated with a cozy touch that makes you feel instantly welcome. But the real giveaway that you’re in the right place? The smell. It hits you immediately—the unmistakable aroma of a grill doing exactly what it was meant to do. This cafe is clearly a neighborhood favorite. As we waited for our food, we watched o...

Hemlock Studio Gallery: A Hidden Artistic Gem in Clarkesville, GA

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Since I was reviewing an art studio, I figured I’d better make the cover photo look "artsy." Back in my younger days, I used to dabble in photography, so I welcomed the excuse to dust off my creative eye. Between my past behind the lens and the fact that my wife and son both enjoy art, an art exhibit is a frequent pit stop on many of our family road trips. Naturally, when we rolled into Clarkesville, Georgia this summer, Hemlock Studio Gallery was at the top of our itinerary. More Than Meets the Eye Hemlock Studio and Gallery did not disappoint. Tucked just off the town square, it looks deceptively modest from the sidewalk. However, once you step inside, the space opens up like a creative wonderland—it’s significantly larger than the exterior lets on. The owners, who traded the rocky coasts of Maine for the Georgia hills, are a delight. They’re incredibly knowledgeable and strike that perfect "host balance": they’re happy to give you a guided tour of the highligh...

Bizarre: Willie the Wildewood Bear, A Must-See Roadside Attraction in Helen, GA

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For this "Bizarre" post, let’s talk about the absolute beast that is Willie, the Wildewood Bear . Standing proud in the alpine-themed town of Helen, Georgia , Willie towers at an impressive 8 feet tall. Don’t let the size (or the claws) intimidate you, though—he’s a gentle giant who is more than happy to strike a pose with kids of all ages. In fact, his right paw is ergonomically designed to hold either a small child for a photo op or a catastrophically large jar of honey. Once you’ve secured your proof of meeting the legend, step inside the Wildewood store to check out their collection of cool wind chimes—they’re the perfect soundtrack for a "bear-sized" adventure. Updated 3/18/26

The Antique Mall, Clarkesville, GA, Great Stop with A Wide Variety

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Don’t let the minimalist branding fool you If you’re looking to take a literal step back in time, you’ll find the portal in Clarkesville, Georgia. On Google Maps, (at the time of writing) this spot is listed simply as "Antique Mall." While the name doesn't exactly scream "marketing genius," don’t let the minimalist branding fool you. In an era where most antique stores have quirky, pun-heavy names that sound more like a pub and grill, this place tells you exactly what it is. Besides, even the cleverest names often lead to shops that leave much to be desired; this one lets the inventory do the talking. The Layout: Wear Your Walking Shoes Once you step inside, you realize the "Mall" part of the name is no exaggeration. This is a massive operation. You’ll find dozens of long walkways chock-full of vintage goodies. To give you an idea of the scale take a look at the picture below: the store is twice as wide as it is long, and the depth alone is enough to...

Canoe The Caney, Silver Point, TN, Canoe and Kayak Tips

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Canoe The Caney: A Scenic Float (and a Workout) If you ever find yourself near the Caney Fork River in Middle Tennessee, you’ll likely spot them: a fleet of bright yellow canoes and kayaks drifting lazily downstream. These belong to Canoe the Caney , a popular outfitter in Silver Point, TN. They offer several trips of varying lengths and provide everything from kayaks and canoes to tandems and even floating cooler carriers. During a recent camping trip, we decided to trade the campfire for the current. Here is the breakdown of our experience, along with some "lessons learned" so you don’t have to learn them the hard way like we did! The Logistics We arrived at the outfitter on the morning of our trip and were greeted by a helpful staff. The check-in process was a breeze. After a brief safety orientation, we piled onto a classic black school bus for a short ride to the drop-off point. Once your paddle hits the water, you're on your own to enjoy the scenery. The river is pe...

Bella Nashville Wood-fired Pizza, Nashville, TN Farmers Market

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When visiting the farmers market in Nashville, TN, it would be hard to miss the massive and multi-cultural food court. There are plenty of options to choose from: vegan Mexican, Caribbean, Greek, and fresh filled crepes cooked to order. In the mood for coffee, wine, or beer? You are in luck because you can find them all in one convenient location. The food court, located inside the Nashville farmer's market. On our visit, we chose to eat at Bella Nashville, Wood-fired Pizza. Considering the variety of foods available, pizza may come across as boring. However, Bellas is more than just pizza, its authentic Italian cuisine. On this visit to the farmers market, we arrived near closing time. Because business was beginning to slow, we had a chance to speak to the owner of Bellas,  Franco Ballarini . Franco is incredibly nice; he is originally from Italy and has been serving fresh pizza for over 20 years. After talking to Franco, I came to understand that the only secret to making a grea...

Bizarre Sea Creature, The Oyster Toadfish! Should We Have Eaten This?

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This Bizarre find is not some road-side attraction, or a novelty item found in a gift shop. No, this fascinating creature is the work of nature. We were deep-sea fishing when my wife pulled in an Oyster Toadfish . The slimy creature measured 12-14 inches and was ugly as the day is long. Our guide said that no one eats these fish and advised us to throw him back. I have since read online that they are safe to eat and that they are surprisingly tasty. But trust me, I am not disappointed that I did not have Toadfish for lunch, he did not look the least bit appetizing The mouth of this fish was disproportionately large when compared to his body. As the name suggests, they are known to eat oysters. The large mouth allows them to capture a whole oyster shell in their mouth. The power of these massive jaws allows the fish to crack the shell open to access the meat inside. While this sea critter is bizarre, he is also quite magnificent. Continue Reading: Voyager Deep-sea Fishing Disaster - Mus...

Supper Heros, Great Menu! Eat like a Superhero in Huntsville, AL

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My son and I arrived in Huntsville, AL just before lunch. We wanted to try something new and memorable. We were looking for a restaurant that is local, kid-friendly, and awesome. It did not take us long to find the Supper Hero, which checked all the boxes. I'll start with the overall atmosphere. The Supper Hero is a small sit-down diner, the entire room is decorated with action figures, comic books, posters, and comic memorabilia. The idea is great, and it is unlike any other restaurant that I have ever experienced. So, what's the problem? It is simply too much. The lights are painted with logos and the windows are painted with superhero murals. The lack of lighting makes the room very dim and gives the overall atmosphere a claustrophobic and cluttered feeling. The menu is quite unique as well. The entire menu is in the form of a comic book, there are pictures, text bubbles, and well thought out descriptions of each menu item. Overall, this is a great idea, and it is very well-...

30 ft. Golden Statue, Michelangelo’s David, Louisville, KY

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Michelangelo’s David is one of the most famous sculptures of all time. When you drive by the massive golden replica located in Louisville Kentucky you will immediately recognize it. My 8-year-old son however, did not recognize the artwork but got a kick out of seeing this huge naked sculpture. The statue is an impressive 30 ft. tall and stands proudly at the corner of South 7th and West Main. While modesty is of little concern, on this visit, someone had taken a moment to ensure that the statue was portrayed as socially responsible. As you can see in the picture, David is wearing his Mask. Could the sculpture be wearing a speedo when you visit? Who knows?  Thanks for reading please like, share, and follow on Facebook. Continue Reading:  Voyager Deep-sea Fishing (Disaster) Patriot Point Maritime Museum Review

Huntsville Space and Rocket Center Review, Father and Son Trip

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My son and I found ourselves in an unfortunate situation over the Christmas holidays; my wife had to work and we were both free. We usually take a family trip after Christmas so staying home after the holidays would simply be wrong. We have a rule around our house that we do not fret over the things we cannot change, we work through them. After discussing the plan with my wife, my son and I decided to pack our bags and take a short father-son road trip. After searching other nearby destinations, we decided on visiting the Space and Rocket Center located in Huntsville, AL. I had been to the Space center on an elementary-school field trip many years ago, knowing my son as well as I do, I knew he'd enjoy it too.  The Interactive exhibit -  We booked our trip online and also purchased tickets for two shows in the planetarium, I'll tell more about the planetarium later. We arrived an hour and a half prior to the first show which allowed us plenty of time to explore the interactive ...

Peaches Corner, Famous Footlong Hot dogs, Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, Disaster

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We were in Myrtle Beach during our son's fall break. We had great weather the entire trip, some days were even quite hot for the time of year. We stayed in North Myrtle for the trip and we had planned to spend one afternoon walking the boardwalk. Since we would be on the boardwalk, we looked forward to eating at one of the local nostalgic restaurants. When we walked up to Peaches Corner, we immediately saw the huge "Famous Footlong Hot Dogs" sign. This night was destined to be hot-dog night for our family. My son and I love hotdogs. I'd like to think that I am a hot dog connoisseur, if there is such. Some of the best dogs I have had come from Crickets in Smithfield, NC. I cannot mention hot dogs without mentioning The Varsity in Atlanta, GA. I like a variety of dogs, but one of my favorites is the classic chili dog. If your in Atlanta, The Varsity is a great place to have one.  In order to create the perfect chili dog: you must start with a quality dog, next you add a...

Gummy Hotdog, Savannah's Candy Kitchen, Charleston Market Street

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On our most recent trip to the beautiful and historic city of  Charleston South, Carolina, we stopped by  Savannah's Candy Kitchen . Savannah's is located on the corner of Market and East Bay, and it is the place to be if you have a sweet tooth. While there, my son found something truly bizarre that my wife and I had never seen before: a gummy hotdog! As you can see in the picture, everything on this dog is gummy. Don't worry, the gummy mustard, ketchup, and pickle's do not taste like the real things. After doing a search on Amazon, I realized that this bizarre sweet treat, as well as a gummy taco, are available on Amazon. Click the image or the link below to check the price. I cannot end this post without giving a shout out to Savannah's Kitchen. The store was very clean and the workers were friendly. If you are in the Charleston area and are in need of something sweet, you have to try the chocolate and caramel Gophers. They are delicious! 

Professor Hackers MAYDAY Golf Review, Mini-golf North Myrtle Beach

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From the highway you cannot miss the giant yellow plane or the emergency-orange helicopter hovering over the course. It is the one and only Mayday Golf! Professor Hackers' Mayday  is located in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and it is one of the most iconic courses located on the strip.  The course is well lit and exhibits a wide variety of decorations that create an enjoyable experience for kids and adults. The owners and staff have done an excellent job of keeping this course clean and up to date, but you can tell that Mayday is an older golf course. Some of the greens at Mayday are starting to show signs of aging and there were several loose bricks which create the boundaries for each green. Also, most mini-golf courses display the hole number and par for each hole. A few of the holes on Mayday's Rescue-Falls course were missing. My family and I improvised and scored the unspecified holes as par two. The points really did not matter to us, we were here for the experien...

Voyager Deep-sea Fishing Disaster - Must Read!

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No trip to the coast is complete without a party boat deep-sea fishing trip. If you have never been deep-sea fishing or if you have a trip planned, I highly recommend Deep-sea Fishing Tips for Beginners . You will find some helpful tips to save you time, money, and frustration. While searching the various options for deep-sea fishing charters in the North Myrtle Beach area, I came across Voyager Deep-sea Fishingand Dolphin Cruises  located in North Myrtle Beach. The website is very well designed and it offers good information about what to expect on your trip. Unfortunately, this is where the good ends. If you read to the end, you will see that this trip gets progressively worse. I knew that the crew did not expect a big day when I saw that they only had two Dollar-Tree-sized laundry baskets and slightly more ice than large McDonald's Coke! Voyager is located at Dock Holiday’s Marina , which is further inland than some of the other fishing charters. I knew this when I booked the ...