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Instagram

Do you prefer a mountain or beach sunset? Last wee

Do you prefer a mountain or beach sunset?
Last week, I posted a sunset photo from my March visit to Jekyll island. I felt it’s only fair to show off one of my favorite mountain sunsets too.
Last year wasn’t a complete bust for us. We managed to stay at a cabin in the Nantahala National Forest, just outside Robbinsville, NC. This is where we had this specular sunset view.
If you haven’t been to Nantahala yet, it’s one of the quieter areas of Western North Carolina. Though I have no idea why. The area is just as beautiful as anything you’d find in the majestic Smokey Mountains or Blue Ridge Parkway, but fewer crowds. Yikes, it feels like I may be blabbing on a trusted local secret.
Since I’m blabbing anyway, here’s another little local secret. In Robbinsville, there’s the tinniest hole-in-the wall BBQ shack – T. Dubbs. It’s literally a shack, you'll miss it if you blink. It’s only open M-F from 11-2, but my goodness their BBQ brisket sandwich is worth timing your lunch for. You’re welcome! 😉
P.S. Huge thank you to our National and State Parks who helped me keep my sanity in-tact this past year. Please show them some love on your next outing.
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#northcarolina #northcarolinasunset #visitnc #ncmountains #visitnantahala #visitnantahalanc #nationalforest #northcarolinamountains #ncweekend #nationalparkservice #celebratingnc #robbinsvillenc #visitfranklinnc #mountainsunset #bluehourphotography #bluehourevening #lovethatview #sunsetsrule #westernnc #westernnorthcarolina #moutaintrip

Where were you supposed to be? A year ago today,

Where were you supposed to be? A year ago today, we were due to fly to Japan. Though it would have been Jeremy’s first trip to this unique destination, I was the one looking forward to it most. Not only do I love Japan for its delicate beauty (and of course hilarious craziness), but it also shaped so much of who I am. Japan was my first home outside the US. It was where I met many of my dearest life-long friends. It tamed my picky-eater syndrome, and introduced me to unforgettable mountain scenes (yeah, we don’t have a lot of those in Florida). Most importantly, it fueled my passion for travel and desire to learn about other cultures. It would have been my first time back since leaving almost 15 years ago (gosh, am I that old). I was looking forward to seeing friends, showing Jeremy some of my favorite places, and finally getting decent photos (I didn’t have a proper camera then). So, what was the trip you missed out on last year? Are you planning to reschedule? Follow us @expert.explorers for original photography and travel stories
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#japan #japantravel #asiatravel #japantrippostponed #postponedtrip #cancelledholidayblues #cancelledvacationblues #canceledvacation #covidruinedeverything #canceledtrip #missingjapan #damncovid #gottarebook #japannextyear #thistimelastyear #missingjapansomuch

Easter weekend in the UK always meant a four-day h

Do you prefer sunrises or sunsets? Growing up on

Do you prefer sunrises or sunsets?
Growing up on the west coast of Florida, I was privileged to the most amazing sunsets. My family and I would sit on the beach awaiting the dazzling crimson and gold lights. Sometimes we’d even be lucky enough to have a far-off lightning storm join the show.
As I got older and got my wheels, my favorite personal challenge was to see the sunrise and sunset over the water in the same day. With year-round beautiful weather and a minimal distance between coasts, Florida is an easy place to achieve this challenge.
I used to head out early to the jetty at New Smyrna and watch friends surf in the dawn light. I’d then have the full day to make way over to Tampa Bay’s Indian Rocks Beach for sunset.
On my recent trip to Jekyll Island, I was reminded of this old challenge. In the morning I found myself mesmerized by the sunrise at Driftwood Beach. By the evening, I managed to discover this stunning spot at St. Andrew’s Beach on the west side of the island.
Okay, so to answer the question. Though my preference is to start and end my day with the sun, if I had to choose, it would be a sunset every time. Sunsets bring me back to a simpler time, with memories that make me smile. Besides, they are so much easier to be awake for 😊
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#sunset #sunrise #beachsunset #sunsetphotography #jekyllisland #jekyllislandgeorgia #jekyllislandstatepark #travelphotography #beach #sandsurfsunset #enjoylife #enjoythemoment #landscapelovers #onthebeach #givemesun #gastateparks

Good morning Jekyll Island! On my way back from Fl

Good morning Jekyll Island! On my way back from Florida I wanted to stop at a beach for a couple of days to break up my drive. As this was a last-minute decision, I wasn’t surprised to see all the Florida beach hotels already booked. The closest I could find was on Jekyll Island in Georgia. Though I knew nothing about the area, I knew the hotel was on a beach and that was good enough for me.
When I arrived, a quick Google search pointed me to Driftwood Beach for sunrise. Arriving just before the light of dawn, I spent ages nervously standing along the side of the road starring at the pitch-dark path leading through a jungle like bush. Finally, I sucked it up, and with a few stumbles I made my way through to the beach.
I could hear the waves crashing in front of me, but all I could see were gnarly crooked arms reaching up into the blue lit sky. As my eyes adjusted to the faint light, I made my way through the graveyard of broken trees.
I was about half-way up the beach when I found what I was looking for. Sat out in the surf, an isolated tree stood picture perfect against the reddening sky. What an amazing location!
Have you ever been to a place that from the moment you arrive you already know you’re going to come back?
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#jekyllisland #georgia #georgiastateparks #statepark #travelphotography #sunrisephotography #sunriseoftheday #georgiatravel #driftwoodbeach #driftwoodbeachjekyllisland #traveltheusa #besttravelpics #beachsunrise #sunriseatbeach #sundaymornings #gastateparks #jekyllislandgeorgia #jekyll_island

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