"A Tight Point" by Luke Frazier
The largest wildlife art and nature event in the nation, Southeastern Wildlife Exposition (SEWE) will be held February 12-14 in Charleston, SC. SEWE ’10 will highlight 120 fine artists, retriever demos, shows with Jack Hanna, cooking demos by some of the Lowcountry’s finest chefs, Dock Dogs competitions, sporting outfitters & guides, conservation exhibits, free flight falconry, children’s activities, and much more.
Day tickets are $10-20 and 3-Day passes are $40. Children 10 and under are free. VIP packages and special event tickets are also available. (843) 723-1748 / SEWE.com
Flight 001 offers products that aim to help unburden travelers so they can go wherever they’re going with fewer hassles. The site’s “Packing Aids” section includes a series of attractive dopp kits, shoe bags, and even a wet/dry bag for those who like to take one last dip in the ocean before returning to reality. Compact comfort kits, such as the Red Eye Pak, offer traveling essentials that you’d otherwise never think to bring and that certainly aren’t standard in the economy class. And Flight 001’s witty, helpful travel guides, such as the “Me No Speak It” picture/language books, are indispensable aids for international jaunts.
Top: Martha Washington Inn, Middle: Town House, Bottom: Barter Theater
If you’re looking for a romantic getaway for Valentine’s Day or for a memorable weekend trip with good friends, consider driving to the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains to Abingdon, Virginia. Located just five hours from Atlanta, Abingdon is a quaint old town known for its history, theater, outdoor activities, beautiful countryside and its vacation-friendly pace.
Lodging
The Martha Washington Hotel & Spa, a women’s college-turned-Civil War hospital-turned-inn, is Abingdon’s crown jewel, featuring in-room fireplaces, plush bedding and oriental rugs on hardwoods. Its 51 rooms vary in size and amenities, but each come with a high standard of service and a luxurious aim. The hotel’s recently built spa offers a full menu of services for both men and women, including the “Dapper Chap” facial, designed to counteract skin irritants from shaving and athletic activities.
If you’re looking for a more intimate lodging experience, several bed & breakfasts have also made names for themselves in Abingdon. The White Birches Inn has ranked #1 in Inn Traveler Magazine’s “Most Affordable Luxury” category two years in a row, and the Inn on Town Creek’s gardens alone make a great place for a reflective stroll. The breakfasts at these B&Bs are also of special note, as are the food and the more affordable rooms at The Victoria & Albert Inn.
Dining
The New York Times put this area of Virginia on the map last fall when it featured a little upstart of a restaurant in Chilhowie, Virginia, about twenty minutes from Abingdon. Worth the short interstate drive, the Town House has made a name for itself in impressive culinary circles, silencing the myth that small town Southern food is simplistic, overly-greasy and unsophisticated, and surprising locals with new flavors and artful presentation. The Grill’s refurbished dining room is a work of art and well worth a visit for lunch or dinner.
If you’re hoping to catch a show at the theater in Abingdon, or would prefer to walk to dinner, we recommend The Tavern. In a building whose cornerstone was laid in 1779, The Tavern’s sloped floors, low ceilings, great food and extensive wine list make for a memorable experience, and the restaurant’s lively German owner, Max, is likely to stop by your table to make sure everything is to your liking.
Entertainment
The Barter Theater, the “State Theater of Virginia” and one of the longest-running theaters in the U.S., has helped many young actors get their starts, including Gregory Peck, Ernest Borgnine, and Kevin Spacey. Opened in 1933 at the height of the Great Depression, the Barter was so named because patrons often traded meats, fruits and vegetables for the actors’ performances; the original ticket price was 40 cents, or the equivalent in goods. Today, the theater produces a number of musicals, dramas and comedies with top-notch actors in the lead.
Finally, if the weather is warm enough when you visit, don’t miss a walk or a bike ride along the Virginia Creeper Trail, once a train route. The bucolic setting and fresh air translates to real freedom from whatever is on your mind. Mt. Rogers, Virginia’s highest mountain, is also nearby, as is scenic White Top. For more leisurely outdoors activities, consider a historic walking tour of Abingdon or a horse-drawn carriage ride, beginning at the Martha Washington.
If you’re a do-it-yourself traveler and prefer booking a rental property instead of a hotel or resort, Skipjump may be a useful resource worth looking into. It is a free vacation rental search engine that connects travelers with property owners in 13,000 locations around the world. You can search vacation spots by location, property type, budget, timeframe, amenities and attractions. Searches can also be filtered down to features of the property including number of guests, bedrooms, Wi-Fi, HDTV, beach front, etc. Once you focus in on one of the listings you can see up to 30 photos of the property and reviews and ratings by other users.
When you’ve found your ideal place, you can request information from the owner for your preferred dates and then you’re linked directly for the final arrangements. If you’re a property owner, Skipjump also serves you by allowing you to create free detailed listings in any location, including rates and availability, blackout dates, photos, detailed amenities and nearby attractions, maps, and soon video.
If it’s been too long since you’ve had an adventure in the outdoors, take advantage of America’s treasures and hike, climb, raft or kayak one of our diverse national parks with REI. Whether you’re looking to engage your athleticism or simply want to witness out-of-the-way beauty firsthand, there are a range of options among the 20 compelling journeys available. Expert guides promise to reveal the true character of legendary parks such as the Smoky Mountains, Yosemite, Mt. Rainier, the Grand Canyon, Alaska and others. The eco-minded trips range from weekend excursions up to 11 days, all year long. Find more details about the trips here.
For some inspiration to book that trip check out Ken Burns’ stunning documentary “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea.“
