Christmas Town USA

Christmas Town USA

Since I was a teenager, visiting McAdenville during the Christmas season has been at the top of our list.  McAdenville, also known as Christmas Town USA, is a popular destination for all ages during December each year.

blog mcadenvile sign

McAdenville was established in 1881.  This is the sixtieth year of the Christmas light display.  The light display begins December first and goes until December 26th.

Visitors arrive in McAdenville in buses, cars, limousines, and motorcycles to view the lights displayed on every house in the town.  This year I even spotted visitors riding in a

Cades Cove

Cades Cove

One of my favorite places to photograph is in Cades Cove.  Cades Cove is a part of the Great Smokey Mountains National Park.  You can enjoy Cades Cove on foot, on bicycle, or in your car.  Some mornings only allow foot and bicycle traffic.  Be sure to visit the website when planning your trip to determine how and when you will be visiting the park.

Whenever I visit Cades Cove, I choose to be one of the first visitors to enter the park.  The way to accomplish this is

Holiday Lights at the Garden

Holiday Lights at the Garden

One of my favorite places to photograph holiday lights is at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden.  The garden is located in Belmont, NC.  Each year, visitors to the garden from the end of November to early January can enjoy a spectacular combination of garden elements and lights in the evenings.  This year Holidays at the Garden began November 20.  Visitors can enjoy the lights in the garden until January 3, 2016.

Some of the attractions during Holidays at the Garden include

Creating Images in Winter

Creating Images in Winter

While many people like to bundle up and stay indoors drinking hot chocolate in the winter months, it is a tremendous time to get outdoors and explore nature with your camera.  There are so many wonderful compositions that can be captured in the Carolinas during the winter months.

Before you head out, be sure to dress appropriately for the conditions.  You will need

A Trip to the Winter Wonderland Craft Fair at the Dairy Barn

A Trip to the Winter Wonderland Craft Fair at the Dairy Barn

A major event has taken over the Saturday after Thanksgiving each year in Fort Mill, SC.  It is an event that grows each year.  This event is the Winter Wonderland Craft Fair at the Dairy Barn.

This event has been taking place for  years at the Dairy Barn. I went to the event for the first time about five years ago.  At that time, I went with my mother and our relatives who were in town for the Thanksgiving holiday.  There were craft vendors inside the dairy barn and set up in tents just outside of the dairy barn.

This Saturday, I discovered that much had changed

Day Trip to Grandfather Mountain

Day Trip to Grandfather Mountain

One of my favorite places to visit for a day trip when I have company is Grandfather Mountain.  Grandfather Mountain is located in Linville, NC.  If you plan to stay overnight, you can choose from places in Linville, Pineola, Boone, and Blowing Rock.  Each of these locations are within a half hour drive to Grandfather Mountain.

I am so fortunate that Grandfather Mountain is a two hour drive from my home.  This makes the trip one that can be made

Welcoming the Holidays at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden

My holiday season began Wednesday morning at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden.  My mother first introduced me to this wonderful garden years ago.  Thanks to her, I have been a member ever since.

I have spent hours upon hours at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden.  I took my first photography courses there from my wonderful first teacher, Dave Kelly.  There is something to see and to photograph in every season at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden.

Wednesday was my first day off of work for the Thanksgiving break.  I made my way, first thing,

Finding Art During Fake Thanksgiving

Finding Art During Fake Thanksgiving

For the past ten years, my husband’s best friend, Diane,  has invited us to a pre Thanksgiving celebration at her house.  We have come to affectionately refer to it as Fake Thanksgiving.  Fake Thanksgiving is exactly like real Thanksgiving except