Asheville Reminded Me to Slow Down

Western North Carolina was one of those places that felt almost unfairly beautiful. Driving through the mountains, discovering small towns, and spending weekends exploring reminded me that there are still parts of the country that feel peaceful in a way that’s hard to explain. I understood why people retire there. I understood why people vacation there. And I understood why so many people refuse to leave.

While working in Western North Carolina following the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in 2024, I mostly spent my free time exploring the mountains. Asheville is nestled right along the Blue Ridge Mountains, a sub-range of the Appalachians. My evenings and weekends were heavily filled with scenic hikes, relaxing drives along the Blue Ridge Parkway, capturing aerial views of nature – and storm damage – with my drone, and trying local restaurants. Some of my favorites were Daddy Mac’s Down Home Drive, Haywood Lounge, and Laila.

I also had the opportunity to attend countless events and try amazing restaurants in nearby cities like Charlotte, Hendersonville, Waynesboro, Rahleigh/Durham, and Hickory (famous film location of District 12 in Hunger Games).

More than anything, Asheville reminded me never to get too busy to explore and to find enjoyment in the simpler things.

Chattanooga Made Me Appreciate Small Cities

Growing up, I thought the excitement and adventure I experienced in Chattanooga were only found in bigger cities.

But Chattanooga surprised me. It had enough going on to feel vibrant, yet at a manageable pace. Mountains, restaurants, trails, a little nightlife, and a strong sense of community somehow coexisted.

I honestly didn’t have enough downtime to explore as much as I wanted, but I did have the opportunity to check off the main attractions – Ruby Falls, Rock City, and the Incline Railway. While these attractions are usually marketed towards families, as a young adult with an interest in random history and facts about the world, I thoroughly enjoyed all three!

My community engagement and outreach work in the area also fostered opportunities, including invitations to local events and being embraced by community organizations. It made me appreciate the idea that you don’t necessarily need millions of people and fancy buildings to have culture, entertainment, and quality of life. Sometimes smaller cities offer exactly what you’re looking for.

Detroit Lakes Changed My Perception of Minnesota

As a country girl from Alabama, it’s not like I thought about Minnesota often, but if you had asked me years ago whether I’d ever spend time in Minnesota, I probably would’ve said no.

Not because I had anything against Minnesota. It simply wasn’t on my radar. And yet, Detroit Lakes, not Minneapolis or St. Paul, became one of the biggest surprises of my travels.

The ice-covered lakes.

The people – from the native american culture to the transplants with wild stories of how they ended up in rural Minnesota.

The slower pace.

It felt completely different from what I expected.

And maybe that’s one of the reasons I loved it.

Mississippi Reminded Me Why I Love The South

I’m not new to living and working in Mississippi. While serving in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, I spent a lot of time in the Magnolia State, mostly along the coast in the Biloxi/Gulfport area. However, my job recently took me to a different area – the Mississippi Delta.

Now, the Mississippi Delta has a lot of negative reputations, but one thing I’ve learned over the years is that you can either complain about where life places you or explore it.

That mindset has led me to state parks and historic sites that grounded me, museums that refueled my sense of southern pride, local restaurants with the best soul food I’d ever had, coffee shops filled with warm smiles, and conversations I would’ve missed if I had stayed inside waiting to go home.

Not every season is permanent. But every season has something to teach you.