There is much to be seen in the neighborhood of Appalachia, but sometimes life offers up a ticket to a new location and one would be amiss to say no. Mark Twain once commented that “travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness“. From his 1869 book The Innocents Abroad.
I got the travel bug from my retired grandparents who took me along on trips that were both educational and enjoyable. Often to historic sites and state parks. As an adult, travel was less frequent, so it had to be meaningful, and I had to be present in mind.
Planning ahead is great, but occassionally a seat opens up at the last minute and there just enough time to grab your wallet and toothbrush.
Headed South
Where to Stay
Traveling with companions is often the most fun and inexpensive way to go. A group of 4 to 6 adults spliting costs can book a wide range of rentals from cabins to memorable themed motels at a percentage of your budget that wont give you remorse or limit your experience due to cost.
A little planning goes a long way
Even if the trip is ‘last minute’, you’ll probably have some time on the road to check out places to eat, and things to see and do if you don’t already have something in mind.
Personally, I prefer backraods to interstates, and to leave enough time to check out any roadside attractions or diners that might pop up around the next curve.
When traveling, I also prefer to limit any shopping to unique, one-off small businesses in the areas I’m passing through.
Some good things are still free.
Kentucky has 120 counties, and the second most bodies of water in any state. Water lovers rejoice.
There are still plenty of fun, free experiences out there. Parks, museums, and art exhibits to name a few.
On the Move
Save even more by using public or tourist transits, typicall free or low cost for an extended pass. Where possible, I highly recommend renting a bike for the day or week. Most walkable cities have made great accomidations for bikes. Shops tend to carry all types of transport from two to three wheels, with single or multiple seats. You’ll find it’s less costly than paying to repark your car repeatedly in high traffic, limited parking areas. And there is no better way to indulge yourself in the smell of all the food, the good weather, and the sounds and sights at a nice, slow pace.
A Mewz in the Mountains 