St Petersburg Supergraphic

A Winters Tale, St. Petersburg, FL

A Winters Tale

Before I begin my Winters Tale, its worth noting I am trying to escaping the cold of Kentucky. However, my first week in Florida offers an unusually long period of temps below freezing.  In such, the initial foray into RV living is not without challenges.  With temps dipping below freezing, the nightly routine is to disconnect water and sanitation hoses. On nights when temp is just above freezing, I don’t sleep soundly. I wake up every couple of hours to run a little water from each of the faucets and flush the toilet. […]

Georgia Supergraphic

Georgia Beaches & Peaches

Barbie Beach –

Trying to find a “Peach” connection in December is a bit of a challenge. I check out Peachtree City in search of a Georgia Peach or just something peachy but am quickly diverted from my peach hunt once I learn of Barbie Beach.

Barbie Beach Sign - Curious CraigI am not far outside of Atlanta and nowhere near the ocean. The Beach is just outside of Peachtree City in Turin, GA. The Beach is a popular attraction for locals and has even been the subject of a Cannes film festival documentary. Barbie Beach intrigues me and is something I’ve got to see.

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Mammoth Cave Supergraphic

Kentucky Caves and Kangaroos

Traveling in a fried-out Kombi

I turn off of I-65 at the Mammoth Cave exit. The stretch of road leading to the visitor center is lined with kitschy tourist traps. Right off the exit is a towering T-Rex promoting Dinosaur World.  Big Mike’s appears to be the powerhouse of rock shops, but this doesn’t dissuade some locals from piling their geodes on pallets and makeshift plywood tables to hock their crystalline rocks and other novelties. I admire their capitalistic idealism.  Of course, there is the always ever-present southern favorite: hillbilly mini-golf, taffy and fudge shops. […]

West_Virgina - Rafting

Whitewater Rafting the New River, West Virginia

Wild Wet West Virginia 

Its 40 degrees and dark when I arrive at the whitewater rafting outfitters.  I exit the truck to see my breath creating billows of fog when I breathe. I hear, oddly, a crowing rooster.  He is getting an early head start on daybreak.  I’m shivering and start to wonder what have I gotten myself into. Other rafters appear on the scene and quickly I realize I’m the more senior of the bunch. Picking raft mates that I may bond with seems to be mere luck of the draw,  so I begin summing up the guides in hopes that I find one I’m comfortable with. […]