For Travel, and future mountain town adventures.
The Heavy Lifting You cannot carry a rucksack for twenty miles without feeling the weight in your knees and your spine. Life works the same way. Eventually, the pack gets overloaded. The straps bite into your shoulders, the ground turns to mud, and your legs start shaking. Most people pretend they have it all under … Read more
A Quiet Morning at Causeway Coffee Sometimes you have to leave the dog behind. We crated Zippy, left the noise of the world at the door, and headed out to find a bit of peace. We ended up at Causeway Coffee, a Christian-owned spot that trades corporate fluff for genuine atmosphere. The Atmosphere and the … Read more
Pit Stop in Clanton: Real BBQ and Roadside Peace If you’re hauling down to Destin, there’s a spot in Clanton, Alabama, that demands a detour. We pulled into Peach Place, and it reminded me why I prefer wandering over following a spreadsheet. The Spread We didn’t come for small portions, and they didn’t disappoint. The … Read more
Sunday Stillness Reflections from the Table Yesterday, after the service ended, the noise of the world felt a little further away than usual. I wasn’t looking for a crowd or a line out the door. I just wanted a quiet seat to let the morning sink in. I headed over to Greeko’s. I skipped my … Read more
Back Roads and Butterscotch A Knoxville Day Trip Christy, Zippy, and I loaded up for a day trip to Knoxville. After wrestling with the 18-wheelers on the interstate for a while, we’d had enough. We bailed for the back roads. Best decision of the day—much more relaxing drive. Escaping the interstate chaos for a quiet … Read more
The Three-Legged Speedster Zippy doesn’t know he’s “missing” anything. To him, the world isn’t a place of limitations; it’s a series of smells to investigate and floors to conquer. Watching him navigate our home on three legs is a masterclass in raw resilience. He doesn’t ask for a handicap, he doesn’t wait for a smoother … Read more
A Mid-Morning Win in Johnson City Sometimes the best part of a hospital run is the part where you leave. After wrapping up an iron infusion at the VA this morning, Christy and I went looking for a recovery meal. We found a spot in Johnson City called Cranberries, and it hit the mark. No … Read more
Back in the Ridge | Kitchen and Compass Back in the Ridge The door is locked, the bags are dropped, and the coffee is brewing. We’re finally back in Bristol. The trip home was a mixed bag. Zippy handled the miles like a seasoned pro, proving once again that three legs are more than enough … Read more
Kitchen and Compass PIVOTING FOR PIZZA Parking lots shouldn’t dictate your dinner, but sometimes the universe forces a course correction. We aimed for Pecan Craft Kitchen in Fruit Cove, but the parking situation was a disaster. No sense fighting for a spot when you’re hungry. We pivoted and landed at Simone’s Wood Fired Craft Kitchen. … Read more
St. Augustine Day Trip St. Augustine Day Trip Wandering the coast. The world is loud, but the coast has a way of leveling things out. Christy and I loaded up for a day trip to St. Augustine. No complex spreadsheets or tourist traps. Just the road and the salt air. The Afternoon Grind We spent … Read more
