Allen Goss has logged more than 5,000 hours of volunteer service at Great Smoky Mountains National Park. His main job is manning an information desk one day a week at Sugarlands Visitor Center near the Gatlinburg entrance. He also helps the staff with special events and programs. We caught up with him one recent afternoon […]
On panoramic photographs of mountain playground Gatlinburg, TN, a rotund structure emerges from the dense leafy backdrop. It’s the Park Vista, a hotel as iconic as the Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City or the Bellagio, with its thrilling dancing fountains, in Las Vegas. You surely heard the hotel was severely damaged during the multi-day wildfires […]
The narrow two-lane road turned from asphalt to gravel, miles off the main highway, and we wondered if we were in the right place. There were no streetlights or billboards, only thick forest, tall grasses and delicate wildflowers. Then we spotted a bright orange sign: Exotic Feline Rescue Center. We had arrived at our destination. […]
The countryside is gorgeous, the eating is divine, and outdoor adventure awaits on water and land in the Highland Lakes Region of Texas. Read my story in Urban Matter Chicago here.
Canyon of the Eagles is a rustic resort and nature park with amenities and cuisine befitting a luxury hotel. That’s what “glamping” is: A glamorous take on the campground lifestyle. Tucked within the picturesque Texas Hill Country is the Highland Lakes region of Burnet County. Canyon of the Eagles sprawls over 940 acres overlooking the […]
Longhorn Cavern is a spectacular natural wonder in the heart of Texas Hill Country. It’s an underground labyrinth formed eons ago when a rushing river sculpted the limestone bedrock. Left behind are gravity-defying rock formations, dazzling crystals, ancient fossils and an anthology of folklore. You’ll see and hear it all at Longhorn Cavern State Park […]
Madison has everything I look for in a Midwestern getaway: A strong arts and culture scene, fabulous restaurants, outdoor relaxation and a few quirky stories. Oh, and the Wisconsin city is the state capital and home to the University of Wisconsin. Read my story in UrbanMatter Chicago: 7 Top Sites to See in Madison here: […]
