The first weekend of November, I packed up my car and headed out to discover the "Old School" side of Virginia. Found all over the state -- from the largest city to the smallest town-- Old School Virginia shares glimpses of a simpler time. A nostalgic blast from the past where
The amber sunlight came streaming through the waning trees, hitting my face with a staccato rhythm. As we drove a 60-odd mile stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway between Roanoke and Meadows of Dan, Virginia, the sun felt closer than normal, the shadows more defined... a reminder that autumn has nearly come
World class spas. High thread-count sheets. Epic views. 5 star restaurants. Prime locations. Top-notch service. Luxurious spas and activities and amenities galore... Yes, I'll admit it. I'm a sucker for a nice hotel. Here is my list of some of the dreamiest hotels in the mid-Atlantic, in no particular order. Some of these I've already
When attempting to fly fish, stealth is key. Every decision -- from the fly you use, to where you stand, to the subtle way you flick your wrist -- either helps you blend into the natural environment... or announces your presence to the underwater world below. Being stealthy when fly fishing isn't
I’ve always considered Harrisonburg, Virginia to be the quintessential college town. Well, I guess I should clarify... From 1999 to 2003, it was my quintessential college town. I loved calling it my home during those few fleeting years that I attended James Madison University. It was a really affordable and fun place
All throughout the mid-Atlantic, a change is taking place. Yes, friends, it’s time to say goodbye to summer and celebrate fall once again! Fall is arguably my favorite time to plan a weekend trip in this part of the U.S. The weather’s consistently temperate and mild, the natural scenery is at
Hello, friends! I've taken a little blog breather since I have so many upcoming travels that I'll be writing about over the next few months. But a new "Ask Chris" question has me back in action once again! This question comes from Facebook. And, here we go! Dear Chris, I'm going
As a fledging “mid-Atlantic travel expert,” I’ve been road-tripping around the region practically every weekend for the past year in an effort to find the best and most unique experiences the mid-Atlantic has to offer. As a result, I frequently receive emails from people looking for help planning specific travels
For the past 30-some years, minstrels-in training, ladies, lasses and squires, beggars, wenches, knaves and even kings have been conveying on a 27 acre bit of forested land in Crownsville, Maryland each fall. No, it's not a time machine. It's the Maryland Renaissance Festival! Here, people come to step back in time, to
It's September. The leaves aren't turning-- yet-- but the yellow busses filled with chattering school children are just the first indication that summer is coming to an end. After trips to far-away places like Toronto, Ottawa and Alaska, and local travels to the Shenandoah Valley, Hot Springs, Hampton, Solomons Island, Dewey
A few weeks ago, I had a hankering for my mom's famous peach pound cake. Baking it was no problem -- I've been making it annually for the past few years -- but I had a dilemma. I needed peaches. It's the peak of summer and ordinary grocery store peaches just
Today, I'm unveiling a new feature on Packed Suitcase: My "IT" List-- a snappy roundup of my absolute favorite things about places I've been. First to get the "IT" List treatment... Dewey Beach, Delaware! [caption id="attachment_4798" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Photo Credit: Dewey Beach Vacation Rental[/caption] This tiny .3 square mile stretch along Delaware's Route
