Kathryn Lively

Parents interested in a family activity that involves mental and physical challenges should consider embarking on a letterboxing expedition with their kids. This time-honored tradition of “treasure hunting” combines use of the Internet, orienteering skills, and the desire to have fun and make memories. All you need is a notebook, a rubber stamp of your favorite design and an ink pad to get started…not to mention the clues to find the many letterboxes hidden throughout the Atlanta area.

How Letterboxing Works

The rules of letterboxing are simple. Find clues to available boxes on a related website like Letterboxing.org or AtlasQuest then follow them to the box of your choice. If you happen to be searching in a populated area, take care to ensure nobody sees – in the case of boxes hidden in parks, groundskeepers may confiscate them. Observe any precautions when hunting in the woods, and always leave the box in good condition, well hidden. Stamp your logbook with each box stamp you find, and you’ll have an impressive collection and fond memories of the thrill of the hunt!

Letterboxing in Atlanta

Whether you live in the Atlanta area or are visiting for summer vacation, it’s a good idea to keep your logbook and stamps handy. You’ll find a number of themed letterboxes, in urban and rural parts of this metropolitan city. Here are just a few treasures waiting to be discovered:

Cobb County Parks, North – Shy: This stamp is hidden in Sweat Mountain Park, near where the dogs play.

D is for Dog, W is for Walk: Near the ruins of an old youth camp, you’ll find two stamps off the beaten paths.

Lord Baden Powell: Named for the founder of the Boy Scouts, so it’s appropriate this stamp is hidden near a council center.

Hey Joe: Kennesaw Mountain National Park is host to a number of letterboxes, including these two which require a bit of hiking and orienteering to get to.

Mother Goose’s Dainty Dish: This box requires deciphering a puzzling poem to find. Can you find the clue on the proper website and solve it?

When one thinks of the Outer Banks as a potential vacation destination, the possibilities may seem endless. Between trips to the beach, landmarks like the Whalehead Club and the Currituck Lighthouse, and sightseeing for wild mustangs, one would expect a full itinerary. Yet, if the family is up for a bit of adventure, you may want to consider another activity that not only takes you to some of the most beautiful areas of the North Carolina shore, but is practically free. This summer, why not go “letterboxing”?

What is Letterboxing?

Letterboxing is an outdoor game of sorts – a treasure hunt that may involve deciphering clues and a bit of orienteering to reach the goal. The “treasure” in question is usually a box (most times plastic and water-tight) containing a rubber stamp, maybe some stickers or other small items for hunters to enjoy. The idea behind letterboxing is to find the box and enclosed stamp to imprint the design in a notebook. Hunters with personal rubber stamps acknowledge finding the “treasure” by stamping and signing a guestbook found in the box. The practice of letterboxing is similar to “geocaching” but does not necessarily require use of a GPS system to find boxes.

Who can go Letterboxing?

Letterboxing is a very family-friendly activity, a perfect way to spend a morning, especially when on vacation in the Outer Banks. You have the opportunity to come away with a unique souvenir of the area, and keeping a scrapbook of your stamps allows you to add pictures of the scenery to enhance the memories of your visit. Anybody with a yen for outdoor exploration and figuring out clues will enjoy this hobby.

Where to find Letterboxes

Enthusiasts may create and hide letterboxes in a variety of places: parks, attractions, beaches, and even urban areas. An Internet search for letterbox locations (Atlasquest and Letterboxing.org are two of the prime sites for collecting clues on whereabouts) will guide you to where you need to go.

In the Outer Banks area, for example, one may find special treasures on Knotts Island, in Coinjock near the famous Gravedigger attraction, and in Corolla, where several stamps celebrating the Wright Brothers’ flight and Outer Banks horses are waiting for new discoverers. If you want exact locations, however, you’ll have to try the aforementioned websites for clues.

The Rules of Letterboxing

Two things to know before you embark on a letterboxing adventure:

Be Discreet! Many boxes are hidden in high traffic area, especially in a region popular for tourists like the Outer Banks. It is advised when you find the box and collect your stamp, to return the box carefully and try not to attract too much attention. Boxes are sometimes at risk for being stolen and lost if not handled properly.

Secondly, have fun! Letterboxing provides a great opportunity to explore the beaches of Currituck and enjoy the companionship of fellow treasure hunters.

Okay, here’s a hint for you if you’re interested. Check out this list of available Outer Banks letterboxes. Happy hunting!

Kathryn Lively is a freelance writer specializing in articles on the Outer Banks.

Seems no historical destination is without its skeletons in the closet – figuratively and literally! Visitors to St. Augustine can enjoy a number of odd attractions in the Ripley Museum and the Fountain of Youth, but the especially adventurous may also wish to embark on a ghost hunt through Old City’s cobblestone alleyways.

Top St. Augustine Haunts

Where’s the best place to find a ghost? Purportedly there are a number of landmarks and buildings where people have claimed to see or hear something not of this realm. If you’re feeling lucky – and brave – you may want to add these sites to your vacation itinerary:

The Casablanca Inn: In the early part of the 20th century, the Casablanca was the place to go to imbibe in a time when buying alcohol was illegal. To alert bootleggers of law enforcement, the owner would wave a lantern from a window to signal their boats. It’s said you can still see those lights to this day.

The Old Jail: It’s said if you listen closely, you can hear the mournful wails of long-dead inmates, and heavy footsteps dragging ghostly chains around the building.

St. Augustine Lighthouse: There’s talk the former land owner on which the lighthouse sits haunts the property, or perhaps it is one of the house’s first light keepers, who fell to his death while painting the tower.

Safety in Numbers

If the idea of a solo hunt spooks you too much, there are a number of supervised ghost tours operating throughout town. Arrange a group of friends to come, or tag along with a crowd of other enthusiasts as you see St. Augustine in a different, ghostly light. Just a few operators to try include:

Ghost Tours of St. Augustine: This frightfully fun group offers three options for ghost seekers: you can ride, walk, or even sail the bay on the schooner “Freedom.” Each tour is led by a licensed guide ready to regale you of Old City’s otherworldly history. Prices vary according to the season, and check their website for discounts.

GhoSt Augustine: Tour favorite “haunts” of St. Aug locals – dead or alive – on the group’s hearse pub tour. You’ll ride in an actual hearse through town, stopping at different landmarks and open pubs for a unique look at the town’s paranormal history. It’s the only way to travel!

Ghosts and Gravestones: Hop aboard the trolley for a “frightseeing” tour of town, complete with costumed guides in need of your help to find the fabled Book of the Dead. Search for clues on each stop as you’re treated to tales of St. Augustine’s haunted past…and present.

Perhaps you know the craving. You may be enjoying a healthy-sized plate of hot wings or succulent barbecue ribs, and you suddenly desire a cold beverage to help savor the enjoyment. No fizzy soda or plain glass of ice water will do – you need a beer, frosty and sharp with the right amount of flavor to compliment your meal. Why settle for a standard name brand, though, when you can try the unique taste of a drink brewed regionally? If you live in the Mid-Atlantic area – Virginia, North Carolina, and Maryland, you’ll find a host of micro-breweries to try.

So where are the best lagers? Next time you’re browsing a specialty liquor store, or on the road and looking for an interesting attraction to tour, consider making the following stops along the way:

Weeping Radish Brewery – Outer Banks, NC

For over twenty years, the Weeping Radish has been the place to go for beach brewed goodness. Visitors to the Outer Banks can tour this working farm and eco-friendly brewery, where you’ll find delicious pale ales and full-bodied lagers created in the old German style. Grab a case of homemade root beer to go, too, and try a cold wheat beer at the brewery’s restaurant with some authentic Carolina BBQ.

Starr Hill Brewery – Charlottesville, VA

Based near the rolling hills and valleys of Shenandoah, Starr Hill is known for its award-winning tastes and trippy-looking labels. Beer connoisseurs may enjoy the Dark Starr Stout, described by the brewery as a liquid equivalent to “Grandma’s pumpernickel bread,” or the Festie, an Oktoberfest style lager.

Clipper City Brewing Company – Baltimore, MD

Organic beer? You bet! This Maryland brewery offers two varieties of organic beer – a traditional amber ale and a bold raspberry wheat. For others tastes, Clipper City has Holy Sheet, brewed in the manner of the old Belgian Abbey monks, and Peg Leg, a dark chocolate stout, among many others.

If the craving for a unique regional beer hits you, try any of these Mid-Atlantic brands. Just remember to drink responsibly and in moderation.

The sunny beaches and succulent seafood of St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra, and Vilano Beach are certainly popular draws for visitors to Florida. If one had to pick another reason to spend a lengthy vacation along this stretch of Atlantic shore, the prospect of a great golf game might just be the ticket. It’s no secret that professionals and casual golfers enjoy the lush greens of Northern Florida golf courses, and if you’re the type to plan your trip around eighteen holes St. Augustine is the place for you.

Where are the best courses to play? Here are a few suggestions to “link” you up to a great golfing vacation.

A World of Golf Awaits

Imagine if Disney World had been built specifically to showcase golf…that pretty much describes the World Golf Village in St. Augustine. This is perhaps the largest and most luxurious golf resort in the state, with two par-72 championship courses and an official PGA-recognized golf academy on the premises. When not out on the greens, you can tour the World Golf Hall of Fame or catch a show at the on-site IMAX theater, and for non-golfers on the family there is a full-service spa, swimming pools, and easy access to historic St. Augustine for a day trip.

Play Where the Tiger Prowls

Situated in beautiful Ponte Vedra Beach, just north of Old City, you’ll find one of the best known courses in the south: TPC Sawgrass. These greens are home to the annual Players Championship, and when Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson aren’t battling for top honors, the public is invited to try their hands, and clubs, at the challenging course. In order to play either of Sawgrass’ two courses, you must be a guest of the Sawgrass Golf Resort and Spa or else reserve a tee time two weeks in advance of your visit.

Pack up your clubs and your best golf shoes (no metal spikes for Sawgrass, please), and watch the cool Florida breezes as you prepare to tee off. A golf vacation in St. Augustine and Ponte Vedra Beach is perfect any time of year.

Kathryn Lively is a freelance writer specializing in articles on southern vacation destinations, including St. Augustine and the Outer Banks.

The best of Atlanta is yours to explore, at a great price! As thoughts on vacations turn to worry with finances in flux, rest assured you can enjoy a day of fun in this classic southern city for fifty dollars. You can absorb the city’s history and experience global cultural phenomena which originated right here. A day in Atlanta provides not only a learning opportunity, but the chance to have some fun.

How can see Atlanta on $50 a day? Here is our suggested itinerary for exploring the cultural icons synonymous with Georgia’s state capital.

Early Morning – Visit the Gone With the Wind Museum.

After seventy years, the image of Scarlett and Rhett locked in a passionate embrace amid the chaos of the Civil War is still one of the most recognizable in cinema. Though the movie was not filmed on location, Atlanta nonetheless plays a significant role in the film’s conception. You’ll see original props and costumes from the sets, and personal memoirs from the film’s actors and the author of the book, Margaret Mitchell. A must for movie buffs. Price: $7; Total: $7

Lunch – The Varsity

“What’ll you have? What’ll you have?” asks the cashier. For over eighty years this Atlanta institution has served up hot dogs, burger, and the best onion rings in the South. No visit to the city is complete without lunch at The Varsity. Most combo meals, like two chili dogs with fries or rings and a soda ($6.99) go for seven dollars and under. Price: $6.99; Total: $13.99

Late Afternoon – Visit the World of Coca-Cola

Pop quiz: where was the most famous soft drink in the world invented? Atlanta! A century later, the city remains the headquarters of the Coca-Cola Company, and you can experience the history and flavor of this and other soda created by the beverage king at the World of Coca-Cola. This interactive museum is one of the most popular attractions in the city, and a great place to sample Coke and other exotic soft drinks for free. Price: $15; Total: $28.99

Dinner – Williamson Brothers BBQ

What’s a day in the South without a succulent barbecue dinner? Williamson Brothers is known for serving up the juiciest cuts of pork, chicken, and beef in their signature sauce. It’s a favorite among local celebrities, and it can get busy so be sure to budget your time in Atlanta well so you can enjoy dinner. A pork plate with two sides, iced tea, and a slice of homemade pecan pie for dessert will fill your stomach and keep you within your spending limit. Price: $20.97; Total: $49.96

For just fifty dollars, you can have a wonderful time in Atlanta, embrace the local culture and savor the taste of the South. A vacation here is more affordable than you think.

A quiet garden of azaleas, a lazy sunset over the Castillo de San Marcos, a leisurely stroll down the hidden alleyways of the historic district…the idea of a romantic weekend in St. Augustine evokes many desirable images. If work has you down and stressed, and you’re eager for a few days to recharge and renew an intimate relationship with your partner, a getaway to the nation’s oldest city just may be the cure. More affordable than other Florida destinations, St. Augustine provides couples with an endless itinerary of relaxing activities, perfect for celebrating a second honeymoon or anniversary, or simply to celebrate love and life.

What is the best way to enjoy St. Augustine? Here are a few ideas to make your weekend a romantic and memorable experience:

Stay in a Bed and Breakfast! The historic district offers blocks and blocks of B&B inns, each unique in style and amenities. Booking a weekend at a small inn gives you the cozy atmosphere of home and the added exuberance of Florida hospitality. Keep an eye out for couples’ packages and specials offered by the inns, and let your hosts act as concierge for your trip by recommending the best attractions and dining in the area.

Share a Bottle of Wine! Local San Sebastian Winery offers free tours of their facility, complete with a tasting of their latest vintages. Splurge on a few bottles – one for a cozy night at the inn, the other to take home – and take in some lively jazz music at their upstairs wine bar.

Enjoy a Spa Day! The resort area of Ponte Vedra is known for luxury accommodations and amenities. Take a day and be pampered with a full couples’ treatment of massages, facials, and pedicures.

Take a Carriage Ride! Hire a horse-drawn buggy to gently guide you down the historic streets of St. Augustine. A romantic ride makes a perfect prelude to dinner at one of the city’s top restaurants, like 95 Cordova or Columbia Restaurant.

Walk the Beach! The advantage to a weekend in Vilano Beach, Ponte Vedra, or St. Augustine Beach is that the crowds are lighter than one will find further south. This makes the sunsets more intimate and shores peaceful, so you can reconnect with your partner on a leisurely walk in the sand.

For a romantic escape, St. Augustine and the beaches of North Florida provide the luxury of a high-end resort without the high prices. Consider your next weekend away at the heart of this historic and sunny area.

So the work week has left you stressed and exhausted – it’s time for a breather! Perhaps you and your other half have contemplated going away for the weekend, but are put off by high costs and travel hassles. If you live in the South – or, pretty much anywhere in the country – an extended weekend in Atlanta may be the ticket to reviving romance and refreshing yourself before returning to the grind of the workaday world. Impossible? Expensive? Absolutely not!

The Romance of the South, the Luxury of the Big City

Moonlight and magnolias, delightful summer breezes, and lush foliage may come to mind when contemplating an intimate trip to Atlanta for a few days. The beauty of staying in Cobb County allows you to experience everything the city has to offer – upscale dining, fascinating historical interests, and Georgia’s natural beauty. Whether looking for a honeymoon destination or just a weekend of quality time with the one you love, here are few suggestions to make your Atlanta vacation a memorable, enjoyable time.

Enjoy a Spa Day! You’ll find a number of resorts in the area which offer extended menus of relaxation and rejuvenation treatments for men, women, and couples. Indulge in a couples massage, then be pampered with individual facials and manicures. We recommend Renew Day Spa and Wellness Center and Euro Spa Body Care, both of Marietta, and Bella Dia in Acworth.

Celebrate Romance in the Arts! Nothing typifies romance in the South more than the iconic image of Rhett and Scarlett locked in a passionate embrace. The Gone With the Wind Museum is a must-see for all cinema enthusiasts – you’ll see artifacts from original movies sets in addition to author Margaret Mitchell’s personal copies of her book.

Afterward, snuggle up at the Cobb Energy Centre and enjoy a performance by the Atlanta Ballet, Atlanta Opera, or any of a number of shows presented by the Atlanta Broadway Series.

Soak Up the Sun! Who say you can’t enjoy the shore in Atlanta? Spend a day splashing around Sun Valley Beach in Powder Springs and you’ll think the coast has shifted a bit closer. A beautiful, woodsy area surrounds a nearly two-acre pool bordered by man-made beach. Relax on a lounge chair, or slip down the twisting waterslides for a day of fun.

Toast Many Happy Years to Come! For elegant, gourmet dining, Atlanta gives you – literally – the world on a platter. Try JOEL Restaurant for an eclectic French taste, Fusco’s via Roma for the best of Italy in Cobb County, or the nationally renowned Canoe with splendid views of the Chattahoochee River. Share a bottle of wine and toast the perfect weekend getaway.

For exploring the great outdoors or settling on the balcony to savor the warm spring and summer nights, Atlanta offers couples endless varieties for a romantic trip.

Go fly a kite! Seriously! In the Outer Banks, the saying isn’t a dismissal, but rather an invitation to a day of family fun. While the area on the coast of North Carolina is known primarily for its beautiful beaches, wild mustangs, and various water sports and fishing, kite flying is an especially popular pastime for residents and visitors. Several events staged in Dare and Currituck County throughout the season provide hours of entertainment for the novice and expert flyer. Next time you’re vacationing in the Outer Banks and feel you have “beached” out, take a break and grab the lead on a beautiful flying wonder.

Where to Buy Kites

Have you come to the beach without something to fly? No worries! The convenience of the many available surf and sailing shops in the area allow you to stock up on the gear you need for a day of fun. String, bling, the whole flying machine…you can find it at either of these recommended spots:

Kitty Hawk Kites (several locations around the Outer Banks) – Largely regarded as the first name in kites on the Carolina shore, this popular chain has everything you need to soar through the sky! Whether you want to lead a simple single line flyer down the beach, or are interested in something more extreme like kiteboarding, this should be your stop. All manner of flying toys are here for your – leisure and competition styles, and tools for hang gliding, too.

Flying Smiles Kites (1159 Austin Street, Corolla) – This shop is all smiles! Located across the street from the Currituck Beach Lighthouse and the Whalehead Club, Flying Smiles is a recent addition to the Outer Banks. Here you will find kites of many colors – single line, dual line and quad line – as well as a “kite hospital” for repairs. Lessons on helping your nylon “birds” to sail in the clear blue are also available.

Where to Fly Kites

There’s always the beach, but in the summer the sands are likely to be occupied with many sun worshippers. It wouldn’t do to trip over a multitude of bodies in order to keep your kite aloft, so where else can you go? The expansive lawn of Currituck Heritage Park, home of the Whalehead Club, is one alternative, as is the more secluded Knotts Island area. Most visitors, too, prefer to indulge in their hobby at the original site of flight, the Wright Brothers National Memorial at Kitty Hawk.

For a soaring great time, be sure to pencil in an afternoon of breezy kite flying on your next trip to the Outer Banks. When the sky is clear and sunny, you won’t find a more beautiful site than a series of strings slanting upward, supporting a flock of colorful kites.

No trip to St. Augustine, Florida is complete unless you stay in one of the town’s many bed and breakfast inns. Accommodations are plentiful in the nation’s oldest city, and B&B accommodation not only offers guests a comfortable place to sleep and relax, but many inns are located close to the best attractions, shopping, and restaurants in town.

For extended vacations, the versatility of a bed and breakfast allows guests to take advantage of local concierge services (as many innkeepers offers special packages for holidays and honeymoons) and luxury amenities like wireless Internet and central air. If you’re thinking of coming to North Florida, consider making a reservation at one of these great inns:

Bayfront Wescott House (146 Avenida Menendez) - Surrounded by swaying palms, this 16-room inn boasts balconies on both floors and spacious sleeping quarters. Wake each morning to a beautiful view of Matanzas Bay and check the inn’s website for holidays packages and specials.

63 Orange Street (63 Orange Street) - You’ll know the inn by its name! 63 Orange Street is convenient to St. Augustine’s historic downtown, Flagler College, and other area attractions. Five bedrooms offer queen-sized or larger beds at great rates, along with private baths and wireless access.

Peace and Plenty Inn (87 Cedar Street) - Stay in the elegant main house and enjoy a good night’s rest in a canopied bed, or enjoy the secluded comfort of either of the Carriage House suites. The Peace and Plenty Inn provides a desired respite after a long day of sight-seeing, with afternoon wine and a beautiful garden.

At Journeys End (89 Cedar Street) - Five rooms, each decorated in a theme like Egypt and French Boudoir, guarantee a unique and pleasurable experience. Linger for an afternoon in the shade of the front porch and book a romantic horse-drawn carriage ride through the inn’s concierge service.

Our House Bed and Breakfast and Garden Studios (7 Cincinnati Avenue) - Located in the heart of the antiques district are two renovated Victorian-style homes offering a total of five rooms, each with full baths and luxury amenities. Join fellow guests for breakfast in the sunlit dining room before setting out for a day of shopping.

Still undecided? There are plenty more inns in St. Augustine to choose from. Part two of this series of articles will explore more great B&Bs waiting for your reservations.

Kathryn Lively